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Ward Hill— the Teacher 


Other Ward Hill Books 


Ward Hill at Weston 

336 pp. 

Ward Hill at College 

238 pp. 

Ward Hill — the Senior 

360 pp. 

Full l2nio. Illustrated with Full-page 
Drawings. Price, each, $1.25 


4 





“ ‘ No, thank you. No riding for me.’ ” 

Page, 11. 








W^zird Hill— the 
Teacher 


By 

Everett T. Tomlinson 

Author of 

‘ * The Winner Series^ ” “ The Blue and Buff Series ' ' 
‘ ‘ The Fruit of the Desert ’ ’ 
and ^^The Sifting of Philip f etc,, etc. 



Philadelphia 

The Griffith & Rowland Press 

1909 




Copyright 1909 by 
A. J. ROWLAND, Secretary 

Published September, 1909 


ri A 24 49 21 

AUa 28 1909 


PREFATORY NOTE 


So many calls came for a story of Ward Hill’s ex- 
periences immediately after he graduated from col- 
lege, that Mr. Tomlinson consented to go with him 
a little farther. Immediately after his graduation he 
is offered and accepts a position as a teacher in the 
Weston School. There he meets many of the 
pranks, escapades, mistakes, and traditions which 
before he faced as a pupil. Now he meets them 
as a teacher — working out his own problems while 
he deals with the boys. Naturally, the point of view 
is somewhat different, but no less interesting or vital. 
The easy or the popular way as contrasted with the 
right way — which shall he take? 

Incidentally one of the most perplexing — not to 
say perilous — problems of modern school life — 
clean athletics — enters largely into the story. 




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CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

I. The Return to Weston ii 

II. Jack's Adventures 20 

III. Doubles 29 

IV. The Shadow of Coming Events. . . 38 

V. The Interview With THE Captain. 47 

VI. Jack's Suggestion 56 

VII. Modern English 66 

VIII. The Problem 76 

IX. A Conversation With Malarkey. . 85 

X. What Ward Overheard 94 

XL A Decision 103 

XII. A Crisis 112 

XIII. The Teachers' Meeting 121 

XIV. The Test 130 

XV. Teaching the Teacher 139 

XVI. The Question 148 

XVII. A Victim 157 

XVIII. A Threat 166 

XIX. Jack's Return 175 


7 


8 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

XX. An Unexpected Visitor 184 

XXL Question and Question 194 

XXII. The Spider 204 

XXIII. The Game 214 

XXIV. The Finish 223 

XXV. A Proposal 232 

XXVI. Persecution 241 

XXVII. An Issue 250 

XXVIII. A Crisis 259 

XXIX. A Petition 268 

XXX. At Home 277 

XXXI. Jack Hobart’s Explanation 286 

XXXII. Conclusion 295 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


Page 


No, thank you. No riding for me ’ ” 
Frontispiece ii 

“He was clad in his football suit, and in his 
right hand he was twirling a nose- guard . . 

'' ' I told him I would send some one to hnd 

out’’' 66 ^ 

“'Thank you, Malarkey. I’lhhe glad to ride 

with you ’ ” 8q 

“Seating himself . . . directly in front of the 
teacher’s desk, Hogg glanced impatiently 
at Ward ” ii8 


“'I am not the registrar of the school, Mr. 
Low’” IQ5 


“ One of the Burr players seized the hall and 
sped toward the Weston goal” 21 ^ 


“A huge honhre was kindled on the athletic 
held, about which the boys . . . danced and 
sang ” 




239 


lO 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


Pagb 

' Thank you, Chase/ said Ward, as he took the 
clapper from the hoy’s hand ” 255 

" Doctor Gray, this means more to me than I 

think you understand ’ ” 26^ / 

He . . . turned into the familiar street that led 

to his father’s house ” 2^6 ^ 

'' As long as Jack could he seen Ward stood on 

the platform and waved his hat ” joo 


Ward Hill-the Teacher 


CHAPTER I 


THE RETURN TO WESTON 

O, thank you. No riding for me, when I can 



1 ^ tramp about Weston again. I don’t want to 
miss even a stick or stone on the way.” 

Ward Hill laughed as his enthusiastic friend ex- 
pressed his eagerness to walk from the station to 
the school buildings. “ You’re the same old Jack,” 
he said, as he glanced affectionately at his companion. 

“ You’re a wise man, professor,” replied Jack Ho- 
bart lightly, “ but your wisdom is a trifle askew just 
there. I’m not the same old Jack. Far from it. 
I’m a student of law now, and can tell you the dif- 
ference between jurisprudence and the court of 
chancery. Oh, you needn’t laugh. It’s true. There 
was a time when I was not so wise. Ah, me; to 
think of the load of ignorance I once carried! I 
didn’t even understand what equity is. A tort or a 
statute law — why, sir, neither was so much as 


II 


12 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


named by the Jack Hobart that once was. Now I 
know. I can define and explain it all to you. No, 
my learned professor, Jack Hobart, called Speck for 
short, pupil in the Weston school, and John Henry 
Hobart, Bachelor of Arts, enrolled student in the 
law school, are not the same individual, let me tell 
you. I sigh to think of those happy days when, as a 
care-free, happy lad, I roamed these hills, gently 
poured a pailful of water upon the back of Little 
Smith when he halted too long beneath my window, 
or when I gave Mr. Crane such joy by being able to 
translate for him a few — not too many — lines of 
Caesar. Strange how happy it used to make Mr. 
Crane just to have me explain to him what a few 
words in an old dead language like Latin really 
meant. I saw him one day last week, Ward.’^ 

“ Did you ? How was he ? What did he have to 
say ? ” 

He’s the same man he used to be, only more so.” 

“ He’ll do great work at Tegrus. I believe he has 
been the greatest force in my life. Jack. I think I 
was almost as pleased as he was when the college 
called him.” 

“ You might well be. Ward,” laughed Jack. 
“ When he left Weston he left a place for you, didn’t 
he? I should think you would be pleased.” 

'' Not that way,” responded Ward Hill quietly. 

When Mr. Crane resigned at Weston he left a 
place which nobody can fill.” 

That’s all right,” said Jack glibly. “ He left a 


THE RETURN TO WESTON 


13 


place anyway, and you’ll make it yours, just as he 
made it his.” 

“ I hope you are speaking the truth, Jack.” 

“ Truth? Hold still a minute. Mr. Crane was a 
teacher in Weston, wasn’t he?” 

“ He certainly, was.” 

“ And besides what he taught, he was what he 
was, wasn’t he ? ” 

“ I can’t deny that. Jack,” laughed Ward. 

“ Of course you can’t. Now, then, so far as the 
mere position is concerned, you have that, haven’t 
you?” 

“ Yes, but ” 

Hold on ! I haven’t done with you as a witness 
yet. So far, you acknowledge, do you, that you 
have been called to the position in the Weston 
school, which once Mr. Crane held?” 

I do.” 

Very good. Now — remember the serious nature 
of the affirmation — you hold, and Mr. Crane held 
exactly the same position in the Weston school. He 
resigned to accept a call to Tegrus College, and after 
your brilliant career in the same college you were 
called to the position left vacant by Mr. Crane.” 

“ Same position, but not the same place. Jack.” 

** There must not be any attempt at evasion. I 
insist upon a direct reply to my question. Is it yes, 
or no?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Very good. Now then, each of you has held the 


14 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


same position. You have already admitted that 
much. Now, resting upon the mere fact of position, 
Mr. Crane made his own place in the school, didn’t 
he?” 

“ He certainly did.” 

“ And you hold the same position he once held ? ” 

“ Yes, after a fashion.” 

“ I insist upon a direct reply.” 

“ I fancy I’ll have to say ' Yes ’ ” 

“You acknowledge it, do you?” 

“ Yes,” 

“ Very good. Very good, indeed. Our reluctant 
witness is improving. Oh, there’s nothing in the 
world like a real shrewd, cross-examining lawyer. 
He’ll twist the truth right out of a witness, no mat- 
ter how hard he tries to squirm or evade. Now 
then, holding the very position once held by Mr. 
Crane, you’ll have an opportunity to make your own 
place. Is it not so ? Again I must firmly insist upon 
a direct reply.” 

“ I’m afraid it won’t be much of a place.” 

“ A direct reply, if you please.” 

“ I have the opportunity, all right. But there’s a 
big difference between holding a position and ma- 
king a place.” 

“ True. There was our elongated tutor in the 
days of yore — what was his name. Ward?” 

“ Do you mean Mr. Blake? ” 

“ The very man. ’T is passing strange how, with 
the coming of age, the memory fails one.” 


THE RETURN TO WESTON 


15 


“ You’re twenty-two, aren’t you, Jack? ” 

“ Yes, sir, I am; and you’re another. We’re get- 
ting old. Ward.” 

“ What about Mr. Blake ? I must try to hold you 
to some one line for two minutes in succession.” 

“ Do you remember how tall he was.” 

“Yes; six feet seven. One of the tallest men I 
ever saw.” 

“ That’s so. Do you remember Big Smith’s state- 
ment that Mr. Blake filled a long-felt want in the 
Weston school?” 

“ Yes. Poor Big Smith.” 

“ Poor Mr. Blake too.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“You remember how lofty he was?” 

“ Yes. I said he was six feet seven.” 

“ Well, he’s fallen very low.” 

“ Explain yourself.” 

“ Very low,” murmured Jack. “ One would 
scarcely believe it, but the evidence is indisputable 
and the witness unimpeachable. The testimony 
is ” 

“ Drop you law-school jargon and tell me what 
you mean.” 

“ Poor Mr. Blake ! His head once carried so high 
that it almost bumped the stars. Now — now he is 
a member of my class in the law school.” 

“ Is that all?” 

“All! Isn’t that enough? He has held seven 
positions in five years, and in spite of his height he 


1 6 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

hasn’t held anything long. Now he’s of the opinion 
that anybody can be a lawyer. Lost every position 
he ever held ! Now he thinks he’ll make a place for 
himself. Poor chap; I can’t tell him that a man 
must have brains to be a lawyer. Remember Drake 
in college, Ward?” suddenly asked Jack. 

“ I haven’t exactly forgotten him, or Oliver 
either,” said Ward, a slight flush appearing on his 
face as he spoke. “ I received an invitation to his 
wedding a few days ago.” 

“ So did I,” said Jack without glancing at his 
companion. “ I went to it too.” 

“Did you?” 

“ I did that. It was the experience of my life — 
up to date.” 

“ It was this way,” continued Jack soberly. “ You 
know four of us room together in town: Ned 
Butler, Pond, Henry Boyd, and I.” 

“ Well, all of us are poor — only some are poorer 
than others. I’m living on an allowance. Oh, you 
needn’t praise me for it. It was entirely at my 
father’s suggestion. I had nothing whatever to do 
with it, and I can’t say I’m enthusiastic over it yet, 
and I’ve been trying it a long time.” 

“ How long? ” 

“ Almost a month — since I entered the law school. 
My bank account was overdrawn in three days.” 

“ Poor fellow ! ” laughed Ward. “ What are 
you doing here at Weston then? How did you get 
money for your ticket ? ” 


THE RETURN TO WESTON 


17 


“ My mother took pity on me. It’s a way she 
has, and she knew better than my father did how 
hard I have been working, and how much I needed 
a vacation. It was at her suggestion I took a day 
or two off and came up here to spend Sunday with 
you. That’s all money is good for anyway, Ward, 
just to use.” 

I haven’t had much experience,” said Ward 
lightly. “ But what has that to do with Drake’s 
wedding ? ” 

“ I’m coming to that. You always were such an 
impatient fellow. Ward. Remember the time 


“ I want to hear about Drake’s wedding,” inter- 
rupted Ward. 

He was married,” said Jack shortly. 

‘‘ So you said.” 

“ Well, four of us room together, and we’re all 
of us being economical. We have to be. Ward, 
you don’t know what it means to have to live as we 
do. It’s socialism, anarchy, and multiform degener- 
ation of the primordial activities, all in one. We 
don’t have enough to ” 

“Did you say you went to Drake’s wedding?” 

“ I did.” 

“ Tell me about it.” 

“ That’s what I’ve been trying to do for five min- 
utes, but you won’t let me get started at the begin- 
ning.” 

“ Begin at the end, then.” 

B 


l8 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ You ought to have taken a position in a young 
ladies’ seminary, Ward. Your curiosity is as bad 
as a girl’s. Well, then, the bride was perfectly 
lovely. She wore a cream-colored wedding-gown 
of purple bias. It was made long in the back and 
fitted her like a glove. Her eyes had that dreamy 
look of one who implies, ‘ Look at me, I am it.’ 
The organ played the beautiful wedding-march of 
Isaac Watts : ‘ This is the way I long have sought, 
and mourned because I found it not.’ The bride’s 
veil was of seersucker cretonne, and in her left 
hand she carried a bunch of ‘ don’t-you-forget-its ’ ; 
with her right she kept a pretty firm grip on herself 
when she came down the aisle ; and when she pulled 
her father along to tell how glad he was that now 
the family might go to bed any night they chose 
before it was too late, both her heels came down 
together and produced a feeling of unmitigated re- 
lief on the part of the best man.” 

“You mean she jumped down the aisle?” 
laughed Ward. 

“ No, it was poor Drake who was ‘ on the jump.’ 
You never saw a fellow so scared in all your life. 
His face matched that beautiful gown of the bride. 
I told you it was made of bias, didn’t I ? ” 

“ It must have been a unique affair. Jack.” 

“ It was.” 

“ And yet Drake was one of the most dignified 
fellows in college, and his bride was as modest and 
well-bred a girl as one ever saw.” 


THE RETURN TO WESTON 


19 


“ That’s all true, professor. He was that and 
she was this, and both were it. Everybody said it 
was one of the prettiest weddings in the history of 
the world. I’m just telling you what I saw, that’s 
all.” 

“ I never knew you to be so observing before.” 

“ I’ve been trying to tell you that I’m not what I 
once was. Now, if you’ll keep still a minute and let 
me talk. I’ll tell you just what I started out to say 
when you shut me off.” 


CHAPTER II 


jack’s adventures 

A s I was saying, four of us room together and 
are communists.” 

“ What do you mean, Jack? ” 

“ What I say. We own all things in common or, 
if we don’t exactly own them that way, we use them 
jointly anyway. For example, there is just one 
good pair of pumps in the establishment. I believe 
I was the one who bought them ; at least I paid for 
them ; but when it comes to wearing them, why, the 
first fellow that puts them on has them, you see. 
It’s the same with various other articles of wearing 
apparel or personal adornment. We’re the original 
socialists — only Ned Butler and I are the ones that 
usually have to pay for the things, for the shop- 
keepers refuse to look at it as we do.” 

“ Did you go to Drake’s wedding? ” 

“ I did. That’s what I’m telling you about.” 

“ Oh, is it?” 

“ Yes, sir; it is. Well, the day of the wedding I 
rushed back early to our rooms, for I wanted to be 
on time to find a necktie left. As luck would have 
it, I was the early bird — or I thought I was. I put 
on the pumps first thing, to make sure of them any- 
20 


jack's adventures 


21 


way, and then, while I was shaving, I happened to 
think of the dress shirts. I knew the last one I 
owned had gone to the laundry, so I stopped and 
began to look for the other fellows’. Ward, would 
you believe those roommates of mine could be guilty 
of such a dastardly piece of work ? ” 

What had they done ? ” 

“ Done ! They hadn’t left a shirt in the place ! 
There I was, almost ready to start — you know both 
the families are living in Orange now — moved out 
there about six months ago.” 

“What did you do?” laughed Ward. 

“ I stepped out into the hall and yelled for Jimmy 
to come. You recollect him, don’t you?” 

“ I’m not likely to forget him. What was he 
doing there ? Is he studying law too ? ” 

“ Nay, verily ! Jimmy’s strong point is studying 
human nature. We took him with us to be a sort 
of general utility man for us. He blacks our shoes, 
pretends to sweep the rooms, acts as a witness for 
us when we are working up our cases, and makes 
himself generally a useful nuisance to us all. And 
then too, he spurs us on in our worthy endeavors by 
his continual references to a certain Ward Hill. He 
thinks you are the paragon of all the virtues. Ward, 
and he sings your praises from early morn till dewy 
eve.” 

“ He always was a discerning little fellow.” 

“ He was, was he ? Well, you ought to have 
seen him when I yelled for him to make his best 


22 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


time for the laundry and get that long-lost shirt of 
mine. I felt a bit easier when I saw his heels dis- 
appearing around the corner of the street — you 
see, the laundry was only three blocks away — and I 
felt easier still when I thought he’d be back in a few 
minutes. Well, I went on with my work, finished 
shaving, brushed my silk hat, and then I waited. 
No Jimmy! No dress shirt! No time either, for 
I had just thirty-seven minutes left to get to the 
ferry. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I 
slipped on a sweater, grabbed my silk hat, and made 
a bee-line for the laundry myself.” 

“ I should think you would have made a sensation 
on the street. Jack,” said Ward, laughing as he 
spoke. 

“ People did seem to be a bit interested. But 
then, it isn’t every day you can see a man making 
good time in the streets of New York, especially 
when he is dressed up in a silk hat, a pair of pumps, 
and a sweater. I didn’t blame them much myself, 
but I didn’t have any time to waste, so I never once 
stopped to explain. It wasn’t very long before I 
burst into the office of the laundry. ‘ I want that 
shirt of mine,’ I called out to the girl behind the 
counter in the office. My demand seemed to sur- 
prise her, but she never said a word — just kept her 
eyes on me and backed up toward the telephone. I 
thought she was going to call an officer, so I tried 
to soothe her. Instead of demanding the article 
for which I had come, and to which I had a per- 


jack's adventures 


23 


feet right — to wit, the right of ownership — I 
dropped my voice and said soothingly, ‘ Fm Mr. 
Hobart. I just sent Jimmy over here to get my 
laundry work. There’s a dress shirt I want very 
much ” 

“ ' Jimmy’s gone,’ said the girl, as she hung up 
the receiver. 

^‘‘Gone? Whither? When? Whence? Why? 
Where ? ’ I began. 

“ ' He took the laundry ten minutes ago, Mr. 
Hobart,’ she broke in, though now she was evidently 
relieved of her fears, and was contentedly chewing 
her gum once more. 

Jimmy was gone ! That was sufficient for me, 
so I bolted for the street, and made better time com- 
ing back than I did in going. When I got back 
to the hallway there was Jimmy slowly mounting 
the stairs and whistling his way cautiously and 
slowly up to our rooms. 

“‘Got that shirt, Jimmy?’ I yelled, as I caught 
up with him. 

“ ‘ Sure,’ he replied scornfully. 

“ I never felt such a flow of language in all my 
life as I did at that very moment, but time was 
precious, likewise fleeting, so I decided to save my 
language for a more convenient season, and let him 
have it then — with usury. I grabbed the shirt and 
made for the room, but I had locked the door 
and left the key inside.” 

“ Poor Jack,” laughed Ward. 


24 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Not SO bad, after all. There’s nothing like the 
training of th'e law for clearing up one’s mental 
processes. ' Here, you, James the Tardy ! ’ I 
shouted. ' Up with you ! ’ I lifted the lad, grasping 
him firmly and without ostentation by his neck and 
heels, pushing him up to the transom, thrust him 
through, and heard the sound of weeping and 
gnashing of teeth when he struck the floor of the 
room — as he did expeditiously. He didn’t appear to 
understand my simple request for the door to be 
opened, and it was only after I abandoned the dire 
threatenings which arose to my parched lips and 
substituted therefore, in place of the before-men- 
tioned and above-said reproaches, certain proffers 
of reward, that the door was at last opened before 
me. 

Upon the face of the aforesaid James I per- 
ceived, when I entered the room, an expansive grin, 
fiendish, malevolent, and continuous. Assured by 
the expression that Jimmy was in no danger of an 
untimely demise despite the howls of anguish which 
he had emitted at the time of his fall, I ignored him 
and made a rush upon my belongings. Another 
dire mishap! No studs for the shirt! Mirabile 
dictu! I at once surmised that Ned had appropri- 
ated my belongings. Later I learned that my sus- 
picion was well founded. He not only had them, 
but he had them on his person. You wouldn’t think 
that of Ned, would you ? ” 

‘‘ Go on. Jack.” 


jack’s adventures 


25 


“ I did go on. Soon, clothed but not in my right 
mind, I fled from the room, hailed a cab, told the 
cabby to let his horse go, and was on my way to the 
ferry. My toilet even then was not complete, for 
my shirt-front had no studs. However, I improvised 
on the spot by sawing off the corners of a handker- 
chief and twisting the bits of linen into shape. I 
made them do duty as adornments for the expansive 
shirt-front ; and by the time I arrived at the ferry I 
was as pleased and proud as if I was the only self- 
acting genius in modern life. Just before I left the 
cab I recalled that I had left my invitation and 
pocketbook on the bureau in my room. Fortunately 
I found a two-dollar bill in my vest pocket, though 
who left it there, or whose it was, I had not the 
slightest idea. However, I didn’t stop to quarrel 
with the fates, but told the cabby to take his fare 
and give me the change. The idiotic expression of 
the man’s face when he did as I told him was mad- 
dening, but once more I restrained the impulse to 
orate, and speedily sought the ticket office.” 

Did you say you were at Drake’s wedding ? ” 
laughed Ward. 

“ I am explaining all that to you — concisely, 
clearly, forcefully. Listen! When I went on the 
ferryboat every one who looked at me seemed to 
have just that same insane, idiotic grin on his face 
which had so maddened me when I had observed it 
on the face of the aforesaid driver of the above- 
mentioned cab. It seemed to me the whole world 


26 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


had gone mad and I was going — going — and al- 
most gone. I didn’t pay much attention to it 
though, for I was so delighted because I had caught 
the last boat I could take that I was in a benignant 
and somewhat mollified frame of mind. 

“ I kept up the feeling too, though whichever way 
I looked there was still that same senseless, madden- 
ing smile to greet me. I saw one little girl, who was 
standing in the seat beside her mother, stare at me 
for a long time, and then turn around and pull her 
mother’s head till she too could see me. Just as 
soon as she saw me, she too put on that same smile 
that had greeted me all the way from the rooms ; but 
I was happy, and I didn’t mind. I’d made the boat 
anyway. 

“ When I took my seat in the train I happened 
to think for the first time just what leaving my invi- 
tation behind meant to me. I didn’t know the street, 
or even the number of the house where the wedding 
was to take place. Oh, you needn’t laugh. Ward,” 
said Jack soberly, as his friend stopped and laughed 
aloud. “ It may have been comedy up to that time, 
but it was tragedy, and high tragedy too then, let me 
tell you. What was I to do ? I certainly was in the 
worst fix of my life. What good did my new silk 
hat, my elegantly fitting frock coat — at least that’s 
what the tailor who made it said it was, and I guess 
he ought to know if anybody does — even my mo- 
nopoly of the only pair of pumps in our rooms ; what 
good did any of these things do me if, after all my 


jack's adventures 


27 

trouble, I didn’t know where to go after I had 
come ? ” 

“ What did you do, Jack? ” 

'' I used my training in the law school — that’s 
what I did. That teaches a man to reason, let me 
tell you ! So I came to the conclusion that probably 
I wasn’t the only one on the train who was going 
out to Drake’s wedding, so I got up and went 
through the train, looking for some one I knew. 
Every car, everybody seemed to be strange to me, 
and yet it was the same thing right over again. 
Whenever anybody looked up at me there was the 
same idiotic grin on his face that I’d been seeing all 
the morning.” 

‘‘ What did you do, anyway. Jack? Did you find 
the place ? ” 

“ I did that ! I’d almost given up finding any one 
on the train who could tell me where the wedding 
was to be, but when I came into the last car I saw 
Miss Phillips sitting alone and lovely in almost the 
last seat ? ” 

“ Who is Miss Phillips ? ” 

“ Why, she is a girl that I met, and so did you, 
last commencement. She was staying with the 
Olivers. I confess I couldn’t just place her when I 
first saw her on the train, but she recognized me and 
invited me to take a seat with her. It seems she 
had been late too, and she had told her family not 
to wait for her, so she was on the last train out, just 
as I was. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to find 


28 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


her, but she too smiled when I took my seat, just 
the way everybody had been doing. At last she 
said, ‘ Pardon me, Mr. Hobart, but I think you have 
lost your necktie.’ I clapped my hand to my collar, 
and sure enough I didn’t have any necktie on. I 
had left it on the bureau when I started for the 
ferry. You see, people wouldn’t pay any attention 
to my hat, coat, gloves — even my pumps didn’t 
count. What they wanted was a necktie. They 
seemed prejudiced.” 

“ Did you go without it to the wedding? ” 

I went to the house without it, but I knew some 
one would help me out; or, if he didn’t. I’d make 
Ned Butler take off his, which was mine anyway. 
But Miss Phillips gave me a shock when she said, 
‘ There may not be any carriages at the station, Mr. 
Hobart, for the guests are already at the house, I 
fancy. I am so glad I met you, for you can surely 
find one somewhere for us.’ ” 

“ ‘ Delighted, overwhelmed, by all means, 
greatest pleasure of my life,’ I guess I murmured 
in reply. I’m not just sure what I did say, but I 
know what I was thinking about, and that was how 
in the world I was going to get a carriage for two, 
when I had exactly thirty-seven cents in my pocket. 
It was far worse than having no necktie.” 


CHAPTER III 


DOUBLES 

J ACK/’ laughed Ward, you do my heart good. 

There never was such an absolutely irrepres- 
sible fellow as you.” 

“You mean that I haven’t learned to give up? 
Well, there are worse things than that. The law 
is different from teaching, you see. Now, in the 
practice of law ” 

“ Never mind that now. Jack, interrupted his 
friend lightly. “ What I want to know is whether 
or not you really went to Drake’s wedding.” 

“ Of course I did.” 

“ Did you get a carriage for Miss Phillips ? ” 

“ Certainly. You don’t think I would have been 
so impolite as to refuse, do you ? ” 

“ But you say you only had thirty-seven cents in 
your pocket.” 

“ That’s right. That was the sum total of my 
fortune.” 

“What did you do?” 

“ Used my wits and legal training. My first 
thought was to see if the driver would agree to 
take us on the instalment plan, but I gave that up, 
for I didn’t really believe it was feasible. So I 
29 


30 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


simply told the first driver I found to take us to the 
house, and when we arrived I helped Miss Phillips 
out and then ordered the cabby to come back at 
three o’clock. I think he was quite impressed, for 
he showed up on the minute.” 

“ Did you pay him ? ” 

“ I always pay my bills.” 

“ Where did you get the money ? ” 

“ Took up a collection.” 

‘*At the wedding?” 

“ Not exactly; but Ned had a dollar, Henry had 
a quarter, and Pond had another dollar — no, his 
was a two-dollar bill — so the cabby didn’t suffer.” 

“ What did you do for a necktie ? ” 

“ I ordered Ned to disgorge. I found him up- 
stairs, and in my sternest tones I charged him with 
having appropriated my property. He couldn’t 
deny it, either; but he didn’t seem to be willing to 
give it up. You’d never have thought that of Ned, 
would you? When he was in Weston he was as 
honest a fellow as the school had. He got me one, 
though.” 

“ Where?” 

“ I don’t know. I didn’t stop to inquire. I just 
took it and tied it and there I was, the best-dressed 
friend Drake had at his wedding. It never pays to 
give up. Ward, no matter how dark the outlook may 
appear to be.” 

By this time the two friends were near the school 
buildings, and Ward’s impulsive companion was 


DOUBLES 


31 


quickly diverted from the story he had been rela- 
ting. His enthusiasm, however, was still as intense 
as before, and as he eagerly pointed to the various 
structures, the sight of each recalled some experi- 
ence of his own school days. The presence of the 
many boys who were pupils in Weston, the well- 
trimmed lawns, the great overhanging trees, and 
the soft haze that covered the surrounding hills all 
combined to increase Jack’s delight over his return 
to the dearly loved and familiar scene. 

“ It’s almost like coming back home. Ward,” said 
Jack softly, as he followed his friend into East Hall, 
where the young teacher had rooms. ‘‘And you 
have the very same rooms that Mr. Crane had too,” 
he added, as together the two friends passed into 
Ward Hill’s quarters. 

“ Yes. Some of his books and pictures are still 
here. He left them for me. I look about me when 
I have a troublesome case to decide and almost think 
I can hear Mr. Crane telling me just what I ought 
to do.” 

“ Yes, I’m reminded too, of some of the things he 
used to tell me when I accepted his cordial invitation 
to make a call on him here,” said Jack lightly. “ I 
could have told you just how many books were on 
each shelf, and that picture he had hanging over the 
door — ^the copy of one of Rembrandt’s — ‘ Study in 
Anatomy,’ wasn’t it ? ” 

“ Yes,” said Ward. “ What about it? ” 

“ Oh, nothing very much, only I recall it vividly, 


32 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

that’s all. I used to feel sometimes as if I was the 
fellow being cut up, carved, dissected, that’s all. 
They say that’s a great work of art. Ward.” 

“ Yes.” 

“ From the way it took hold of me when I looked 
at it, and didn’t feel just in the mood of facing Mr. 
Crane, I think it must be. But I sha’n’t ever have 
it in my house, let me tell you. It’s too much of a 
reminder, that’s all. I’ll get something cheerful. I 
say. Ward,” Jack added, as he advanced to the win- 
dow and gazed out upon the noisy shouting boys 
who were moving along the paths on their way to 
the athletic field, “ what a young lot of boys you 
have here now. Why, they’re nothing but ‘ kids.’ 
They don’t look as if they were old enough to leave 
home.” 

Ward laughed as he asked, “ How old were we. 
Jack, when we left Weston?” 

Let me see. I was eighteen, and so were you.” 

“ That’s right ; and the average age of the seniors 
this year is nineteen.” 

They make me think of infants in arms. Why, 
they look like little boys.” 

“ You’re just like all the other ‘ old grads ’ that 
come back. They all say the same thing — ‘ What a 
young class of students Weston has now.’ It isn’t 
that the boys are younger. Jack. As I told you, the 
average age is a little older than it was when we 
were in the school. It isn’t the boys who are 
younger; it’s you who are older.” 



“ He was clad in his football suit, and in his right 
hand he was twirling a nose-guard.” 


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DOUBLES 


33 


“ May be something in that, Ward, though I 
never thought of it in that way before. How about 
the prospects of the football team this year ? ” 

“ Good, I think,’' 

“ When is the game with the Burrs ? ” 

“ The twentieth of November.” 

“ Let me see — that’s about four weeks away, isn’t 
it? I think I’ll have to come up to Weston for that. 
I’ll need a vacation by that time. This work in the 
law school is so nerve straining, so destructive of 
the gray matter, that a frequent rest is the only 
way- ” 

Jack stopped abruptly as a rap was heard on the 
door, and in response to the young teacher’s word a 
vigorous senior entered the room. He was clad in 
his football suit, and in his right hand he was twirl- 
ing a nose-guard. 

“ I beg your pardon, Mr. Hill,” he said quickly as 
he perceived the visitor, “ I thought you were 
alone.” 

That’s all right, Hogg,” said Ward. “ My 
friend is one of the old Weston boys. He graduated 
in the same class with me, and we were roommates 
in college. Mr. Hobart, I want you to meet Mr. 
Hogg.” 

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hogg,” said Jack 
cordially, as he shook hands with the student. 

“ I don’t suppose you can come down to the field, 
Mr. Hill, now that you have a visitor; but the fel- 
lows wanted me to stop to see. You gave us some 


34 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


good points yesterday, and we need them all too. 
The Burrs are reported to be stronger than they 
have ever been, and some of our team don’t feel 
any too sure of the game,” said Hogg as he turned 
to Ward. 

''Jack, would you like to go down?” inquired 
Ward of his friend. 

" Yes, sir ! ” replied Jack promptly. 

" Mr. Hobart can help you more than I can, 
Hogg. He played on the team here and on the 
college team too. If he wasn’t here I’d tell you 
that he was one of the best ' ends ’ I ever saw.” 

"Won’t you come, Mr. Hobart?” asked Hogg 
eagerly. " Our ends are not very strong and we’ll 
be mighty glad to have you help us.” 

" Of course I’ll come,” assented Jack, at once be- 
ginning to remove his coat. " Got any toggery 
here. Ward? — I mean Mr. Hill,” he added with a 
laugh as he glanced quizzically at their visitor. 

" We’ll fix you out when you come down,” said 
Hogg. " You can get all you want in the dressing- 
rooms. Mr. Hill doesn’t put on a suit when he 
coaches us. He stands on the side lines mostly.” 

" That’s all right. He has a dignity to maintain, 
but I left mine in New York so I wouldn’t have to 
look out for it up here. We’ll be down in a few 
minutes, Hogg.” 

" Thank you. We’ll expect you. The fellows will 
all be grateful if you will give us a lift.” 

When their visitor departed Jack turned quickly 


DOUBLES 35 

to his friend and asked, “ Is that chap’s name really 
Hogg?” 

“ That’s the way he enrolled,” laughed Ward. 
“ He answers to it pretty well, so I don’t think 
there’s any mistake.” 

“ What a shame ! Think of a poor chap having 
to carry such a name as that through life! He 
ought to petition the legislature to have it changed.” 

“ It isn’t so bad as his other names.” 

“What are they?” 

“ His full name is Flammarion Wellington 
Hogg.” 

“ Honest?” 

“ Yes,” said Ward. 

“ What do the boys call him ? ” 

“ Sometimes ' Flammie,’ and sometimes just plain 
Hogg.” 

“ Hogg is bad enough, but think of the others ! ” 

“ He isn’t the one to blame.” 

“ I suppose that’s so, but the Society for the Pre- 
vention of Cruelty to Children ought to have taken 
him in hand.” 

“ I wish they would now,” said Ward. 

“ What’s wrong with him ? ” 

“Do you remember Tim Pickard?” 

“Do I? Well, I can’t forget him. He sent me 
word only last week to come to see him.” 

“ Where was he ? ” 

“ In jail.” 

“ What!” 


36 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

That’s right.” 

What had he done?” 

“ Stolen some jewelry.” 

As Ward stared at his friend and did not speak, 
Jack said, “ Yes, sir. Tim’s father lost all his 
money and Tim had to go to work. He lived in a 
cheap boarding-house, and his surroundings had not 
improved him. He was just the same really as he 
was when he was here in Weston, only then he had 
plenty of money and that helped hide his badness.” 

“ I don’t think it hid very much. Jack,” said 
Ward soberly. “ I haven’t heard a word about this. 
You are sure? ” 

“ I went to see him, and ” 

“ And what ? ” 

“ Oh, I helped him a little.” 

“What did you do?” 

“ Not much of anything.” 

“ Give me one guess ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ You paid for the stuff he had taken and they 
let him go.” 

“ I thought you said you hadn’t heard anything 
about Tim’s troubles?” 

“ I hadn’t, till you told me. But I know you. 
Jack.” 

“ What makes you think this fellow Hogg is like 
him ? ” 

“ Jack, it’s a strange thing, but the boys in Wes- 
ton now are almost exactly like those who were 


DOUBLES 37 

here when we were. Indeed, it is one of the things 
that impresses me most in my work.” 

“ Any such chap as I was ? ” 

Yes.” 

“Any one like Ward Hill?” 

“ I’m sorry to say there is.” 

“Will you point him out to me, Ward?” asked 
Jack eagerly. 

“ I don’t know,” laughed Ward. “ I’ll have to 
think it over.” 

“ Well, point out my double then. Will you do 
that?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Good ! And you say this Hogg is Tim Pickard’s 
shadow, do you ? ” 

“ He makes me think of him. Just now he’s giv- 
ing me the biggest problem I’ve had to face. Come 
on, Jack; I’ll tell you about it on our way to the 
field.” 


CHAPTER IV 


THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS 

J ACK HOBART was so aroused by the sight of 
the familiar places as he walked with his friend 
toward the football field that even Ward’s promise 
to explain his perplexity concerning Hogg was ig- 
nored. At every turn there was something to 
remind the ‘‘ old grad ” of escapades or experiences 
in his own school days at Weston, and Ward Hill 
soon found himself sharing the enthusiasm of his 
impulsive companion. 

There’s one of the boys who reminds me of 
you, Jack,” said Ward, as two stalwart students, 
each clad in his football suit, approached. 

Which one?” said Jack quickly. 

The one on the left.” 

“ You flatter me. Ward. This fellow’s hair is not 
the lovely auburn tint that mine is. He hasn’t a 
freckle on his face, and he looks as if he was a good 
fellow.” 

He is. Almost too good to be true, sometimes, 
I fear.” 

“ Thank you. Don’t mind me. I’m used to 
your cordial and gentle words of praise,” laughed 
Jack. 


38 


THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS 


39 


“ That’s just the way it is though. He’s almost 
as generous and freehearted as you were, Jack. 
You can’t meet him without liking him. He is the 
most popular fellow in Weston.” 

“ What’s his name ? ” 

“ Mayo.” 

“ Where does he come from ? ” 

“ Detroit.” 

'' What class is he in ? ” 

Senior.” 

“ He’s a good student, of course.” 

He might be.” 

“ But he isn’t?” 

“ He can do better.” 

“ Naturally, if he resembles me,” said Jack quiz- 
zically. Who is the fellow with him?” 

“ Bullock.” 

Whose shadow is he ? ” 

“ He makes me think of myself at times.” 

“ Oh, he’s the one, is he ? ” said Jack, interested at 
once. I don’t exactly see the resemblance — from 
the outside. What makes you think he is Ward 
Hill the Two?” 

Several things. In the first place he is an only 
boy, and his father is as much wrapped up in him 
as mine was in me. Then too, he is new to all 
the life here — he entered only in September — and 
the appeal of certain fellows in the school is almost 
as strong upon him as it was upon me. And I’m 
afraid, Jack, he is slipping, just as I did.” 


40 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


'' Tell him about your experiences, Ward,” sug- 
gested Jack quietly. “ Not that I ever thought you 
slipped very far. You always made a deal more of 
— of that than any one else ever did.” 

“Tell him? Do you think that would do any 
good?” 

“ Of course I do. Why not ? ” 

“ Good advice is the most common thing in life 
and almost the cheapest. It’s the one thing of 
which it can be said with the knowledge that every 
one will agree with you — ‘ it is more blessed to give 
than to receive.’ I might tell him, but he wouldn’t 
believe me. No, poor chap. I’m afraid he’ll have 
to learn as I did. I’m sorry for him, but ” 

“ Well, if he learns it as well as you did. Ward, 
he’ll come out all right,” interrupted Jack. “ You’ll 
find some way to steer him through, I know you 
will. I never thought of it before. Ward, but your 
work here in Weston isn’t just teaching Latin, is 
it?” 

“ Hardly,” replied Ward with a smile. 

“ You were going to tell me about this fellow 
Hogg. What about him ? I’m getting interested in 
your work. Ward. I believe I’ll ask Doctor Gray if 
he won’t find a place here for me too. I think I 
might handle the boys, even if I wasn’t just certain 
whether it was Charlemagne or N. Bonaparte who 
fell on his knees when he struck earth after the 
battle of Hastings. What about Hogg? He is your 
biggest problem, I can see that already.” 


THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS 


41 


Yes, he is, Jack,” said Ward soberly. I’m 
afraid of him, as well as for him. He is a natural 
leader, and with his money, his good looks, and his 
free and easy way, he is almost certain to make 
trouble for us all, as well as for himself, and for 
some of the boys, like Bullock for example, who 
have never had any experience with such fellows.” 

“ Is he bad?” 

“ Not vicious, but his influence is negative, and 
that means he’ll draw some of our boys away from 
their best. Just now the serious problem he’s giving 
me is ” 

Hold on. Ward,” cautioned Jack in a low voice. 

Here come Mayo and Bullock. They act as if 
they wanted to speak to you. I’d like to have a 
good look at Mayo and see how I look when others 
see me.” 

I didn’t say he looked like you. Jack. I said he 
was like you.” 

All the same, I want to inspect him.” 

The two boys drew near, and touching their caps 
respectfully to Ward they were both introduced to 
his companion. Their interest was at once aroused 
when Ward explained that “ Mr. Hobart ” was an 
old Weston boy, and one of the best ends the school 
ever had. When he also told them that “ Mr. Ho- 
bart ” was willing to do a little coaching that after- 
noon, the enthusiasm of Mayo increased as he ex- 
plained to Jack that end was also his position on the 
team. 


42 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Soon after the quartet arrived on the field the 
practice against the scrub eleven was begun, and 
both Ward and Jack went out upon the gridiron 
to observe more closely the work of the players, 
and at the same time offer their suggestions. 

“I can’t stand this. Ward!” exclaimed Jack in 
a few minutes. 

“ All right. You can go up to the rooms and 
I’ll be there soon.” 

'' I don’t mean that. I’ve got to get into the 
game. I’m going to put on a suit and take a hand. 
That’s the only way to do it.” 

At a word from Ward one of the spectators con- 
ducted Jack to the dressing-rooms where a suit was 
found for him and, as soon as this had been donned 
in place of the clothing previously worn. Jack 
came running back upon the field, when he at once 
threw himself with all his interest and enthusiasm 
into the game. He devoted much of his time to 
Mayo, and the latter’s response to the sharp and ap- 
parently impatient demands of Jack were of a char- 
acter highly pleasing to the “ old grad.” 

After a half-hour had elapsed Ward returned to 
the side lines, and following the two elevens care- 
fully, made a note of the faults he discovered, as 
well as of suggestions he later would make to Hogg, 
who was the energetic and capable captain of the 
Weston eleven. 

The chief interest of Ward, however, was in the 
work of a new member of the team. This was Ma- 


THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS 43 

larkey, a big, coarse, and somewhat brutal appear- 
ing fellow, whom he had previously seen several 
times practising with the boys. Apparently he had 
a place on the team, for he was halfback now, just 
as he had been before when Ward had seen him 
playing in the practice games. 

Malarkey was a wonderful player — there was no 
question as to his ability in Ward’s mind, as the 
latter watched his furious rushes. Every time the 
ball was passed to him he made his gain — sometimes 
carrying a load of players upon his back that would 
have brought even a strong man to the ground. 
Apparently no combination could check the on- 
slaughts which Malarkey made. And the enthusi- 
asm of the players in his prowess was as marked as 
it was manifest. 

Who is this new player. Brown?” Ward asked 
of one of the seniors who was near him. 

'' His name is Malarkey,” replied Brown. 

** He is a fine player.” 

“ Greatest ever seen on the field,” said Brown 
with enthusiasm. 

“ When did he enter ? ” 

I don’t just know, Mr. Hill.” 

“ I haven’t seen him in chapel. Where does he 
room ? ” 

“ I can’t tell you.” 

The expression on Brown’s face was troubling 
Ward, but he did not refer to his suspicion nor did 
he continue the conversation. 


44 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


When the practice was ended, Jack was as flushed 
and covered with dust and dirt, and also as en- 
thusiastic as any member of the team. 

‘‘ Don’t wait for me. Ward. I’ll come up as 
soon as Fve had a bath and put on my store clothes. 
That young Mayo will do you honor before the 
season is ended. He is great.” 

“Is he?” 

“ He is that ! I’m proud of my namesake or my 
double, or whatever you call him. Don’t wait for 
me. Ward. I’ll be up as soon as I can.” 

“ All right,” replied Ward smilingly, watching 
his friend as he ran across the field, striving to hide 
the wrench he had received in his right knee. It 
was good to have Jack with him again, he thought. 
There never was a fellow like him: generous, en- 
thusiastic, impulsive — he would always be a boy, 
and Ward Hill at the time felt himself to be digni- 
fied and sedate in contrast with the irrepressible 
Jack. 

“ That was a pretty strenuous hour, Mr. Hill.” 

Ward turned to face Hogg, who had spoken to 
him, and replied, “ It was good — the best I’ve seen 
this fall.” 

“ When does Mr. Hobart leave ? ” 

“ He is going back Monday.” 

“ That’s too bad. He’s a good one. I wish he 
could stay and help us awhile. The Burrs have the 
best team they’ve ever had, and the fellows here are 
all nerved up. If we can win this year ” 


THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS 45 

“ Hogg, that’s the way it has been every year 
since I’ve known anything about Weston.” 

“ But it really is so this year, Mr. Hill. That’s 
what everybody says, and Mayo has had a talk with 
the captain of the Burrs too.” 

“ And the Burr captain thinks so too, does he ? ” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ Hogg, will you stop at my room when you 
come up ? ” 

“Yes, sir; I’ll be glad to, Mr. Hill. Got some 
more points for me ? ” 

“ I may have a few.” 

“ Good ! It’s great, Mr. Hill, to have you take 
such an interest. The fellows all like it.” 

“ I’m glad if they do.” 

“ They surely do. I’ll be up in a few minutes, 
Mr. Hill,” Hogg added as he turned and ran swiftly 
toward the dressing-rooms. 

Ward Hill watched the young athlete as long as 
he could be seen, and then, as he started back to 
East Hall, walking slowly up the path along the 
hillside, an expression of perplexity appeared on 
his face. It was plain the young master was seri- 
ously troubled by his thoughts ; but when he entered 
his room the expression had changed, and in place 
of it had come another in which there was no trace 
of indecision to be seen. 

A half-hour later, looking from his window, he 
saw Jack the central figure in a group of approach- 
ing boys, who were manifestly listening with deep 


46 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


interest to what he was saying. The sight was so 
thoroughly characteristic of Jack, who had the 
wonderful faculty of making friends with every one 
he chanced to meet, that Ward smiled as he turned 
to bid some one who had rapped on his door to 
enter. The smile vanished when Ward saw that 
his visitor was Hogg, and the young teacher braced 
himself to face what he realized was his most 
serious problem since he had returned to Weston. 


CHAPTER V 


THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN 

B e seated, Hogg,"’ said the young master to his 
visitor. 

“ You said you wanted to see me, Mr. Hill,” said 
Hogg, as he took the chair indicated. 

“ Yes.” Ward was perplexed and troubled, not 
knowing just how he was to begin the conversa- 
tion. The young athlete was good to look upon, he 
thought, as he glanced at the stalwart physique of 
the senior. There was too, in his bearing something 
that was not unattractive. The vigor and evident 
forcefulness of young Hogg were qualities that 
naturally had given him his place as a leader of a 
certain part of the student body in the Weston 
school. Even the teacher was not unresponsive to 
the influence, and was almost angry with himself 
that he should feel any hesitation in referring to the 
cause of the visit. When Ward looked at Hogg’s 
face, however, another and markedly different im- 
pression was produced. There was something un- 
mistakably coarse and common there, almost brutal. 
Ward thought, and to it was united an element of 
determination, not to say pugnacity, that somehow 
reminded him of a bulldog. 


47 


48 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ We’re going to have a good team this fall, Mr. 
Hill,” said Hogg, who plainly was unaware of any 
hesitation on the part of the teacher. 

“ You certainly did well to-day,” remarked Ward 
quietly. 

“ We did that ! You don’t know what it means 
to the fellows to have the teachers interested! It 
spurs every fellow on the team.” 

“ I am surely interested, Hogg. More deeply 
interested than perhaps you understand. You see, I 
am looking at the team from a double point of view. 
I am just as eager as you are for a victory over the 
Burrs, and I want Weston to do her very best.” 

“ We’ll do it, Mr. Hill ! You needn’t worry about 
that. The fellows are all keyed up. They want to 
win, of course, and then too, they don’t want to dis- 
appoint you. We all appreciate what you’re doing 
for us.” 

The words of praise were sweet to Ward, for the 
affection as well as respect of the students was 
dearer to him than even he himself fully realized. 
Ward Hill was aware that he had a rare faculty of 
making friends easily, but he did not as yet under- 
stand the peril to himself that was a very marked 
element in the possession. “ That’s good of you, 
Hogg,” he said at last ; “ I am glad the boys have 
confidence in me.” 

They have, all right.” 

“ It may be they have it when what I do happens 
to be the very thing they want,” said Ward with a 


THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN 49 

smile. “ Perhaps if I should chance to disagree 
with them they might not feel so warm.” 

“ Oh, yes, they would, Mr. Hill,” responded 
Hogg lightly. “ The fellows all know you are in- 
terested in them, and they believe in you. I don’t 
believe that would make any difference.” 

“ Well, Hogg,” said Ward quietly, “ I think Til 
put you to the test.” The senior looked up quickly, 
but the expression of his face was not changed, 
although he did not speak. “ Hogg, who is the new 
halfback?” 

“ Malarkey,” replied Hogg, smiling as he spoke. 

“ Yes, I know his name; but who is he? ” 

“ Fm not sure I understand just what you mean, 
Mr. Hill.” 

“ Where does he come from ? ” 

“ He lives right near here, only three miles out, 
I understand. He worked on a farm and hadn’t 
seen a football all his life till about two weeks ago. 
Oh, he’s a * find,’ Mr. Hill ! Why, his muscles are in 
knots and he’s as tough as hickory ! You can’t bend 
him or break him, either. He’ll tear a hole in the 
Burrs’ line if there isn’t another fellow on our team 
who can help him. But I think there are just a few 
of us who can do a little bit! He’s great! We 
don’t intend to let him do all the work, and if Speck 
Hobart and you ” 

“Who?” interrupted Ward quickly. 

“ Mr. Hobart, I suppose I ought to say,” said 
Hogg in nowise abashed by the implied rebuke. 

D 


50 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Everybody in Weston calls him Speck, so I almost 
forgot he had any other name.” 

“ Which class is Malarkey in ? ” 

“ Fm sure I don’t know,” laughed Hogg. 

“ Has he registered ? Has he honestly entered 
the school ? Is he really a student here ? ” 

“ I don’t know all the details, Mr. Hill. There’s 
one thing I know though, and that is that he’ll be 
the best halfback Weston has ever had — at least 
he’ll be the best since I’ve known anything about the 
school, and I’m in my fourth year now.” 

“ Tell me, Hogg,” said Ward quietly, “ whether 
Malarkey is a bona-fide student or not. I can 
find out easily, but you know and can tell me.” 

“ I don’t believe he has really entered — just yet. 
He comes over regularly for the football practice.” 

“Do you think that is right — is fair?” 

“ Oh, don’t you worry, Mr. Hill ! He’ll be entered 
all right enough before the game with the Burrs. 
We’ll attend to that part of it. You needn’t be 
uneasy. We’ll fix that up.” 

“ When?” 

“ Oh, sometime before the game.” 

“ How long does Malarkey plan to be a pupil in 
Weston?” 

“How long? Why, I’m sure I don’t know, Mr. 
Hill. I haven’t asked him. I haven’t asked any of 
the fellows a question like that.” 

“ Hogg, is this fellow Malarkey to be paid for 
playing? ” 


THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN 5 1 

“ What makes you ask that? ” 

‘‘ Because I want to know. Is he ? ” 

“ Fm not going to give him a cent,” laughed 
Hogg. 

“ That does not answer my question.” 

“ I have answered it as far as Fm concerned.” 

“ Do you know whether any one else is expecting 
to pay Malarkey?” 

“ I can ask the fellows and find out, if you want 
me to,” replied Hogg. The expression of good- 
will was for the moment gone from his face, and 
in place of it there was almost a sneer that hurt the 
young teacher more than he was willing his visitor 
should know. 

“ I am not asking you to find out anything,” he 
said quietly. “ All I want is to have you tell me 
what you already know.” 

“ You have me in Latin, Mr. Hill, and under- 
stand that it wouldn’t take long for me to do that,” 
laughed Hogg. 

“ No, it will not take long. Is Malarkey some 
one that you are trying to work in, or is he expect- 
ing to be regularly enrolled ? ” 

“ As far as I know he expects to enter the school.” 

‘‘ Why doesn’t he come now ? ” 

“ He agreed to work for the farmer till Novem- 
ber.” 

“ When is the game with the Burrs ? ” 

“ The sixth.” 

'‘Of November?” 


52 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Yes, sir” 

“ That’s all I’ll ask you to-day, Hogg.” 

You don’t think there’s anything crooked in — 
in ” 

“If what you have told me is all there is, Hogg, I 
don’t know that we could throw him out according 
to the letter of the agreement. But still ” 

“ Why, Mr. Hill, the Burrs did their best to get 
him. They offered him all sorts of inducements to 
come ” 

“ How do you know ? ” interrupted Ward. 

“ He told me.” 

“Who told you?” 

“ Malarkey himself.” 

“Any one else ever say anything about it?” 

“ Why, yes, Mr. Hill. All the fellows know the 
Burrs wanted him the worst way. We’ll let them 
have him — good and hard — when the game comes,” 
said Hogg with a loud laugh. 

“ You want to win that game, don’t you, Hogg? ” 

“ Want to ! Why, I’d rather give up anything I 
have than lose that game! It’s my last one at 
Weston — that is. I’m hoping it will be the last ; and 
it will if you don’t flunk me in Latin.” 

“ I want to see you win it too, Hogg : but there’s 
something I want more than that.” 

“ What?” 

“ I want it won fairly. I’d rather see you lose 
and be fair, than win if you have to use any crooked 
ways.” 


THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN 53 

“ The Burrs can’t talk much about crookedness,” 
said Hogg warmly. 

“ What have they done ? ” 

“ Why, Mr. Hill, last year they rung in an extra 
football on us ! The game was strung out till it was 
almost dark, and some one on the side line had a 
football hidden somewhere and, before we knew 
what was up, he’d passed it to one of the Burrs and 
the fellow was off like a shot, and made a touch- 
down too, that won the game for them.” 

Are you sure ? ” 

“ I know it ! We all know it ! One of their 
fellows owned up this last winter that it was so.” 

“ It certainly was a contemptible trick.” 

“ I should say so ! It was the dirtiest football 
ever known.” 

“ Well, we’ll be on the lookout this year.” 

‘‘ We will that ! ” said Hogg laughing loudly. 

“ I’m glad the Weston boys never did a thing like 
that. I’d rather have our team lose a dozen games 
than have it win if it had to do it by resorting to 
such tricks as that.” 

Yes, sir,” assented Hogg in such a manner that 
Ward was almost for the moment tempted to believe 
that his recent suspicions were without foundation. 

The conversation was interrupted by the entrance 
of Jack, who turned to Hogg as he saw the latter 
in the room and said enthusiastically, “ I tell you, 
Hogg, you’ve got one of the best teams Weston 
ever had ! ” 


54 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ We want it to be the best, and if hard work will 
tell we’ll make it that before the season is ended,” 
said the captain confidently. 

That’s the way to talk! ” exclaimed Jack. “ If 
your head doesn’t grow too large you’ll put a lot of 
ginger into the eleven.” 

“ Mr. Hill will help us in that way,” laughed 
Hogg as he departed. 

'' I tell you. Ward, those kids put up a great 
game,” said Jack as he turned quickly to his friend. 

That double of mine, Mayo, has the right stuff in 
him. He’ll make good. And that fellow who 
played halfback. Ward — why, he’s a star! He’s a 
wonder ! He’d make almost any college team in the 
country. He’ll make you proud to be known as a 
teacher in the school ! He’ll surely bring you fame 
and fortune.” 

You mean Malarkey? ” 

Yes. Hogg told me that was his name.” 

“ Just now he’s the one that troubles me.” 

I thought you said Flammarion Wellington 
Hogg was your trouble-in-chief.” 

“ I did, but the two are connected.” 

“How’s that?” demanded Jack quickly. 

“ Why, I’m afraid Hogg is trying to work Ma- 
larkey in. He isn’t enrolled, though Hogg says he 
will be before the game.” 

“ Then I don’t see why you’re kicking,” said 
Jack with a grin. 

“ Yes, you do,” remarked Ward soberly. 


THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN 55 


“ Now look here, Ward,” replied Jack lightly. 
“ You take too much on yourself. Let me put you 
on the witness-stand a minute. Tell me what your 
position in the Weston school is?” 

“ Teacher of Latin.” 

“ Very good. Now then, you are doing what 
you are hired to do, aren’t you ? ” 

“ I’m trying to.” 

“ No evasion. Are you doing it or are you not? 
A direct answer if you please.” 

“ Doctor Gray says I am.” 

“ I insist upon a direct answer.” 


Yes.” 


“ Our reluctant witness is improving. You ad- 
mit you are teaching Latin to the satisfaction of 
all concerned. You were not employed to teach 


algebra ? ” 
“ No.” 



“Nor physics?” 
“ No.” 

“Nor football?” 
“ No.” 

“ Nor morals?” 


CHAPTER VI 


jack's suggestion 

W ARD HILL laughed as he said quietly, 
Yes, I am here for that very thing. Jack.” 
“ You’re mistaken.” 

“ Jack, I can’t claim very much in the way of 
character, for I’ve got mine to make. I understand 
that. But think what it would mean if I really was 
a teacher whose influence, whatever I had, was bad ? 
Would you think I ought to be kept ? ” 

“That’s different.” 

“ I don’t see it.” 

“ That’s not my fault.” 

“ Look here, Jack. You know as well as I do 
that the greatest thing in Weston is the life here. 
Whatever a fellow gets in the classroom, and I’m 
not trying to belittle that, the great thing after all 
is that indefinable something that Mr. Crane put 
into both of us. A man has no right to be here as 
a teacher who doesn’t understand that.” 

“ I’m not saying you ought to be bad. All I 
mean is that if you begin to look with a microscope 
at the boys you’ll find so many little things you 
won’t see the big ones. A man has to look at his 
work as a whole. It doesn’t pay to shoot mosqui- 
56 


jack's suggestion 


57 


toes with a cannon ball. You might kill the mos- 
quito that had stopped on a man’s face for luncheon, 
but you’d have hard work, I fancy, to find very 
much of the face itself after that. Now which 
would be better, to let the musical little mosquito 
pump out one drop of blood or smash the mosquito 
and not leave anything of the man either ? ” 

“ That isn’t quite fair, Jack,” replied Ward with a 
smile. 

“ Yes, it is fair ! ” retorted Jack quickly. 

“ You think then, that saying nothing about 
Hogg’s trying to work in a player on the Weston 
eleven who isn’t a bona fide Weston student and 
who, I suspect, is paid for his work as well, is to be 
compared only with a mosquito that had alighted on 
a man’s face? To me, I confess, it’s more like ex- 
posing a man to smallpox. The germ is a tiny 
affair, but smallpox isn’t.” 

That’s the trouble with you, Ward. You take 
everything too seriously. I think Malarkey will be 
enrolled, all right. It may not be the best way to get 
a player, but everybody does it.” 

“ And that makes it right ? ” 

In a way, yes. Even the pope says that, for 
he talks about ‘ what every one always everywhere 
has believed ’ as being right.” 

“Does that make it so. Jack?” 

“ In a way it does.” 

“ Ever hear about Copernicus ? Did he find that 
true? ” 


58 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


‘‘ Well, you believe vox populi vox dei, don’t 
you?” 

No” 

''You don’t? You don’t? Well, I must say. 
Ward ” began Jack. 

"Ever hear of Carlyle, Jack?” 

" I believe I did hear his name referred to while 
I was in Tegrus.” 

" He declared that people were usually wrong 
and that popular majorities didn’t mean they were 
always right by any manner of means.” 

" How did he make that out ? ” 

" He quoted from history and mentioned the 
fact that a certain Barabbas had a large majority — 
practically unanimous — and yet that fact didn’t 
prove that the robber really was right and Christ 
was wrong, did it ? ” 

" Who says it did? ” retorted Jack warmly. " I’m 
just trying to get a little sense into your cranium. 
Ward. Look here, if you go to stirring up this 
matter of Malarkey, you’ll bring no end of trouble 
on yourself ; you know you will. And you’ve made 
such a good start. Ward! We’re all proud of you 
and as pleased as we are proud. Now which is bet- 
ter — to close your eyes and not see too much or 
to see a little thing and spoil a bigger one while 
you’re working at the little one? You don’t want 
to make your work here look like a Chinese picture, 
where a man in the background looks bigger than 
a tree or a house in the foreground. One must have 


jack's suggestion 


59 


just a little sense of perspective and proportion even 
in life, Ward.” Jack was intensely in earnest, and 
his genuine and deep affection were so manifest 
that Ward was moved, and toward his position, 
more than he knew. 

“ Jack,” said Ward seriously, “ do you know that 
what you are saying is the greatest temptation of my 
life?” 

“ It isn’t a temptation, as you call it, at all ; it’s 
just sense — horse sense.” 

When I was in my first year here at Weston 
Mr. Crane had a talk with me which I shall never 
forget. I can’t tell you. Jack, just what it was, 
for I have never told it to any one. But I’m 
going to tell you one thing that grew out of 
that talk, and it’s this: you remember when the 
young Carpenter of Nazareth was alone in the wil- 
derness with his temptation ? ” 

Yes,” replied Jack staring at his friend. 

“As I understand it, the gist of the matter is 
found in what his real temptation was. Should he 
take the- easy way? Should he do that which would 
make him popular and the idol of the people? Or 
should he first of all be true to his own convictions, 
although he knew that if he should be true it prob- 
ably would mean that he would be left alone, the 
people would misunderstand and despise him, and in 
the end it would mean suffering for him, and per- 
haps death. You know how he settled the matter 
right there and then. Jack.” 


6o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ That’s all so, Ward, but this matter isn’t like 
that.” 

“ Why not?” 

“ It isn’t a choice between what is right and what 
is wrong. It’s just a question as to which will do 
more good in the end — keep your grip on the boys 
and lead them quietly on till they’ll follow you and 
do anything you want them to do, or spoil all that 
by driving them all against you at the very start 
and so shut off all chance of doing the bigger thing 
for them a little later.” 

“ You want me to do evil that good may come? 
I’m afraid I’m not much of a Jesuit.” 

Not at all. I’m talking only about a cent and a 
dollar. There’s many a man who gets one but loses 
the other because the cent looked so large to him 
that he couldn’t see over the edge of it, and so lost 
the dollar. Little men see little things, Ward. 
That’s the reason why a good many men never make 
a fortune. They are looking at the small things and 
overlook the large ones.” 

“ Thank you. Jack. You are very clear, even if 
you are not very complimentary.” 

“ That isn’t it, Ward, and you know it. We’re 
both of us just starting, or at- least you’re starting 
and I’m getting ready. I don’t want you to make 
the huge blunder ” 

Jack Hobart,” interrupted Ward, “ just answer 
one question, will you?” 

“ Go ahead.” 


jack’s suggestion 


6i 


“ In your heart of hearts do you advise me to 
wink at what Hogg is trying to do ? ” 

“ I don’t say that.” 

“ What do you say ? ” 

“ I say I’m hungry. Let’s go to the hash house. 
You call that place where liquid, solid, hot, cold, 
wet, dry provision is made for the inner man by that 
same euphonious name we applied to it in days of 
yore, don’t you, Ward ? ” 

“ I don’t, if you refer to me.” 

“ Well, the boys then? ” 

Yes, the boarding-hall is still the hash house,” 
laughed Ward. 

“ Same by nature as well as by name? ” 

“ There’s been no very startling change in either, 
I’ll have to acknowledge.” 

“ Come on then, it must be time. I long for the 
vision of dainties such as ‘ ma ’ (the term by which 
the matron was known among the students) used to 
make. And I have a whole load of good advice I’m 
going to give the fellows that sit at your table.” 

“ That’s kind of you. Jack.” 

“ Just watch me do it. If I don’t set some of 
those fellows straight, it won’t be my fault. I’m 
just as full of zeal as 1 am of hunger. You must 
not think* you are the only man who can tell others 
how to do it. I’ll own up that you have more of the 
stuff in you of which they used to make the old 
martyrs and things, but when it comes to dealing 
with the homo sum, or words to that effect, why, 


62 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


I can give you points. And Fm willing to do it 
too.^’ 

“ I never disputed your willingness, did I, Jack? 
laughed Ward. 

In a brief time the two friends had entered the 
boarding-hall and the young teacher had taken his 
seat at the head of the table of which he had charge, 
and his visitor was seated at his right. Ward was 
aware that Jack probably would not again refer to 
the subject of their recent conversation and, as he 
saw how interested his friend was in the sight of 
the great dining-hall, filled as it was with boys, he 
was glad, despite the feeling of uncertainty in his 
own mind as to his own proper course to follow, 
that for a time at least he was free. 

At the table over which Ward presided, Mayo, 
Bullock, Hogg, and others of the football team 
were seated, and the presence of Jack gave an added 
element of interest to the chief topic of conversation 
which not unnaturally had to do with the work 
and prospects of the eleven. 

Jack, with manifest interest, entered without re- 
serve into the spirit of the hour, and the interest 
and good-will of the boys were evident as they 
listened to his stories or asked his advice concerning 
the most vital of their experiences. It is true most 
of these pertained to football rather than to the 
deeper side of school life, but Ward was well content 
when he saw how Jack was enjoying himself. It 
was good, he thought, just to have his friend with 


jack's suggestion 


63 


him again. In spite of his apparently light manner 
at times, Ward well knew the earnest spirit, the 
deep love, and the clean tastes, as well as the abso- 
lute contempt for everything low or unclean, that 
were characteristic of Jack Hobart. His very 
wholesomeness was contagious. 

“ Tell us, Mr. Hobart,” Mayo was saying as 
Ward looked up quickly at the words, “ about you 
and Mr. Hill when you were students here. Prob- 
ably you could give us some points on Mr. Hill 
that would help us.” 

Both Jack and Ward joined in the laugh that 
greeted the request, and then Jack said warmly, “ I 
shouldn’t have much to tell you that wasn’t good. 
If you fellows know when you’re well off you’ll 
stand by him every time.” 

“ We know that already,” said Bullock. “ The 
boys don’t forget how interested Mr. Hill is in 
everything we do.” 

“ That’s right ! ” said Jack warmly. Don’t for- 
get that, whatever comes.” 

As Ward looked up he saw a smile on Hogg’s 
face that served to recall the unsolved problem in 
the young teacher’s work, and for a moment he was 
troubled. 

“ If you want me to I’ll tell you a story about 
Ward — I mean Mr. Hill,” Jack hastily corrected 
himself as the boys laughed. “ It’s about him and a 
certain young lady. The time of the event was in 
his freshman year in college.” 


64 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Jack, what are you doing? said Ward quickly, 
his face flushing slightly as the boys all laughed 
and looked quizzically at him. “ See that you con- 
fine yourself strictly to the facts,'’ he continued 
laughingly. 

“ Yes," responded Jack soberly, “ I recall the 
circumstance vividly. It was a beautiful morning 
in May. The time was ten-thirty. The freshman 
had two very important duties to attend to, and he 
rushed from the dormitory with all the speed he used 
to display on the track. One of these duties was to 

send a bunch of roses to Miss I think Fll not 

tell you her name — and the other was to order a 
new box of tooth-powder. As he was due for base- 
ball practice in fifteen minutes he did not personally 
attend to the delivery of either parcel, although he 
did see to it that the parcels were very carefully 
wrapped. Then, feeling happy over the conscious- 
ness of duty done, he started swiftly for the athletic 
field. There he displayed his usual prowess and had 
just made a long hit to right field and, swifter than 
the wings of the wind, he was speeding for first 
base. Then, to the surprise of every one, he 
stopped abruptly. A glance of despair came over 
his rugged countenance. I was near him and 
rushed to his aid, uncertain whether he had sprained 
a tendon or had burst a blood-vessel. Such a look 
of agony is seldom seen on the human face divine. 
‘ What is it. Ward? Are you hurt? ' I asked, feeling 
almost as badly as he did. ‘ Yes ! No ! Jack ! ' he 


jack's suggestion 


65 


gasped, ‘ do you know I’m afraid those packages I 
sent this morning may have gone wrong. What 
will Miss think if she receives a package con- 

taining a box of tooth-powder and my card? I 
must find out! I’ve got to set it right! What a 
fix ! What will she think of me ? ’ ” 


E 


CHAPTER VII 


MODERN ENGLISH 

I KNOW how the story is coming out, Mr. Ho- 
bart,” said Mayo, as the boys at the table all 
laughed and looked at Ward Hill, who was striving 
to appear unmindful of the amusement of the 
students. 

“ How did it come out, Mayo? ” said Jack. 

“ Why, the young lady received the tooth-powder, 
of course,” replied Mayo. 

ril tell you how it was,” resumed Jack glibly. 
“ Of course we couldn’t stand it to see our star 
man on the nine so broken up, so I told him that I 
would send some one to find out. That seemed to 
quiet Mr. Hill for a time, and a half-hour afterward, 
when the fellow whom I had sent to set matters 
straight came back, what do you think he re- 
ported ? ” 

“ It was just as I said,” laughed Mayo. “ Too 
bad, Mr. Hill,” he added as he turned to the teacher 
at the head of the table. “ How did you get out of 
the predicament ? ” 

“Ask Mr. Hobart,” suggested Ward quietly. 
“How was it? How did Mr. Hill fix up mat- 
ters? ” asked Bullock of Jack. 

66 


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MODERN ENGLISH 


67 


“ Why, after a very careful investigation,’’ began 
Jack again, “ it was discovered that the young lady 
in question had received ” 

“ What ? ” demanded several of the boys together. 

“ The young lady had received,” resumed Jack 
slowly, “ a very beautiful bunch of roses, most care- 
fully wrapped in tissue paper, and a card was at- 
tached to the bouquet on which was inscribed the 
name of the donor — Ward Hill.” 

“ And the tooth-powder was sent to Mr. Hill’s 
room all right ? ” asked Hogg. 

“ Yes.” 

For a moment the boys all stared blankly at Jack, 
and then such a burst of laughter arose from those 
who were seated at the table that all the students in 
the room turned their heads and gazed curiously at 
the hilarious party, laughing in sympathy though 
they were ignorant of the cause. 

“ I think that was a good one on Mr. Hill, don’t 
you, boys?” asked Jack seriously. 

Another burst of laughter greeted Jack’s query, 
and Mayo said, “ What is the moral of that little 
tale, Mr. Hobart? ” 

“ I don’t know that it has any ‘ moral,’ unless it 
is that sometimes things come out right.” 

“ Now, Mr. Hill,” said Bullock quickly, when the 
delight of the boys subsided, “ ‘ turn about is only 
fair play.’ Tell us something about Mr. Hobart. 
He couldn’t have been very sedate when he was >in 
Weston.” 


68 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Oh, but I was,” interposed Jack before Ward 
could comply with the request. 

'' I was ever a studious lad. You might not 
think it of me, but I took a prize for scholarship 
once.” 

“When was that, Mr. Hobart?” inquired Bul- 
lock laughingly. 

“ If I recall aright it was before I entered Weston. 
Yes, I am certain it was, now that I remember it 
more distinctly. I was a little fellow attending a 
private school. The peculiarity of this particular 
school was that it gave a prize for almost everything 
and almost every day, and yet in spite of the multi- 
tudinous multiplicity of prizes I had somehow 
managed to escape until this never-to-be-forgotten 
day came, when I returned to my parental domicile 
that afternoon and, striving to appear as if I were 
not overwhelmed by the unexpected honor that had 
been thrust upon me, I displayed the rare token of 
the appreciation of my tutorial preceptors to the 
astonished and delighted — not to say incredulous — 
members of the household. Every member declared 
that he had foreseen just what had happened and 
for a long time had been aware that the budding 
genius was about to burst into bloom. Still en- 
deavoring to appear as if a prize was not a matter 
of such rare or startling nature in my career, I 
calmly received the plaudits of my admiring family, 
and with dignity replied to the questions they at 
once began to ask. 


MODERN ENGLISH 6cj 

“ * What was the prize given for, Jack? ’ inquired 
my ancestor on the paternal side. 

“ ‘ Best answer,’ I explained. ‘ Best answer in 
the class in natural history,’ I explained still further. 

‘ What was the question, and what was your 
answer? ’ persisted my mother, who has ever had a 
strange and at times annoying pertinacity in probing 
her guileless offspring with questions, and which at 
times were quite embarrassing. 

“ ‘ The question was, “ How many legs has a 
cow?”’ 

“ ‘ And, of course, you replied “ four, ” ’ said my 
loving mother proudly. 

^ Nope,’ was my artless response. 

“‘What? You didn’t say “four”? Why, what 
did you say, darling?’ 

“ ‘ I said a cow had five legs.’ 

“ ‘ You did ! ’ exclaimed my father, ‘ Why, any 
fool ought to know better than that.’ He had a 
very terse and, at times, abrupt manner of express- 
ing himself, which, on sundry and divers occasions, 
was somewhat annoying to my ebullient and supra- 
sensitive nature. ‘ I don’t see how you ever got a 
prize for such an answer as that.’ 

“ ‘ I did all the same,’ I asserted, striving to main- 
tain a dignified air. 

“ ‘ How did you do it ? ’ 

“ ‘ Every other fellow in the class said a cow had 
six legs.’ 

“ ‘ And you said “ five,” and so you received the 


70 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


prize ? ’ His austere countenance was at the mo- 
ment slightly relaxed as I distinctly recall even to 
this day.” 

The laughter of the boys was renewed and Jack, 
as soon as silence was restored, said soberly, “ My 
experience at that early date was somewhat dis- 
concerting. If taking a prize produced such an 
effect as that, I then and there declared to myself 
that I’d have no more. And I have kept my word 
even to this moment, haven’t I, Ward ? ” he de- 
manded of his friend, who was laughing as heartily 
as the boys. 

'' Yes,” replied Ward. I don’t recollect that 
you have broken the rule once.” 

I am glad that I can give you the results of my 
long and varied experience,” said Jack as he turned 
demurely again to the boys. ‘‘ School and college 
honors perhaps do not appeal to me as they did at 
one time, but there is one thing I would very much 
like to impress upon your minds while they are in 
the plastic and formative stage.” 

“ What’s that ? ” asked Hogg with a laugh, in 
which the boys joined. It was plain they were de- 
lighted with their visitor and were expecting a 
statement as quizzical and as comical as those he 
had first made. 

Oh, I’m serious now, boys. I mean every word 
I said.” 

“ We all know that. We understand,” said 
Bullock. 


MODERN ENGLISH 


71 


“ If I had my life to live over again ” began 

Jack, ignoring the laughter that greeted his state- 
ment. “ You needn’t laugh, boys, I am serious. If 
I was in Weston again, the first thing I would work 
for would be to enlarge and improve my use of the 
English language. In my work in the law school I 
am continually impressed by the inability of the 
men to use clear or even correct English.” 

“How do you account for that, Jack?” said 
Ward, who aware now that his friend was really 
in earnest was glad to lead him on. 

“ Slang,” said Jack quickly. 

“ What do you mean by that ? ” 

“ Our slang expressions are so very suggestive 
and striking that they will sometimes take the place 
of an entire sentence.” 

“ If they do that, Mr. Hill, don’t you think they 
are an advantage and not a disadvantage, after all? 
If one word will explain what you mean as well as 
an entire sentence would, then why isn’t it better 
to use it?” asked Mayo. 

“ You might suggest that to Doctor Gray before 
he begins his sermon to the school to-morrow morn- 
ing,” suggested Ward quietly. 

The boys laughed at the retort, but Jack hastily 
began again. “ I don’t mean that a slang expression 
is always and everywhere to be avoided as if it were 
a pestilence. Not at all. Sometimes ‘ slang ’ is 
good. I wonder how many of you ever realized 
that a good many of our slang phrases are taken 


72 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


bodily from Shakespeare? It’s true,” said Jack 
soberly when the boys laughed. “ Of course that 
may not prove anything more than that the source 
of the expression is good. Language, like every- 
thing else, grows old and decays. It isn’t the use of 
^ decayed ’ English that troubles me so much as the 
fact that such expressions keep out the ability to 
use good English when one wants it or needs it. 
They are a good deal like weeds in a flower-bed — 
they have no earthly use in themselves, and besides 
that they spoil what is better. I never thought so 
much about this as I did last summer in London. I 
was simply astounded by the English I heard in the 
shops or stores, for example. The vocabulary of 
the clerks, their enunciation and pronunciation, and 
the absence of slang were all very impressive to me ; 
and when I compared what I heard there with what 
I hear when I am with American boys or girls, I 
am not always proud of my own. Of course I do 
not refer to the better educated Americans — only 
to boys and girls in school.” 

“ You are not very complimentary — or patriotic, 
Mr. Hobart,” suggested Mayo. 

“ I am both,” retorted Jack. Patriotism doesn’t 
mean that we don’t love our own country unless we 
are bragging about it all the time, and the very fact 
that one believes that what he sees to be awry can be 
improved shows his confidence. If there wasn’t 
any hope of curing evils, then there wouldn’t be 
any use in mentioning them. But honestly, boys, I 


MODERN ENGLISH 


73 


do believe the amount of slang you use, as well as its 
quality, is robbing you of one of the things you’ll 
want, perhaps most of all, very soon.” 

“You think our fellows are worse?” asked 
Bullock thoughtfully. 

“ I think it’s almost universal. Slang in school 
and college — why, it’s almost like a new language.” 

“ It’s ‘ modern ’ English, Mr. Hobart,” laughed 
Hogg. 

“ That may be true,” replied Jack ; “ but so are 
weeds. Let me tell you what I heard on the street 
yesterday. I was walking behind some boys and 
girls who were just about the age of the students 
here. I didn’t mean to overhear them, but they 
made it impossible not to hear. They were talking 
about the prize speaking in the school they attended 
and this is about the way their conversation ran, one 
after another speaking in such a manner that I’ll 
not try to tell you who each speaker was: 

“ ‘ Did you ever in your life hear such a declama- 
tion as Tom Lathrop’s this afternoon?’ 

“ ' I never did. I just died laughing.’ 

“ ' I watched the principal while Tom was spout- 
ing. Why, his eyes were as big as saucers ! ’ 

“ ‘ Yes, and Miss Thorpe’s eyes just shot fire.’ 

“ * Oh, I don’t agree with you a little bit. I think 
Tom Lathrop is a regular peach.’ 

“ ' I don’t. He’s nothing but a lobster.’ 

“ ‘ The greatest trouble with Tom is that he’s 
got a swelled head. He’s just stuck on himself.’ 


74 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ ‘ I never thought very much about whether Tom 
is a lobster or a peach, but I know he’s a tight wad.’ 

'' ' Yes, he’s a wart.’ 

'' ' Well, his voice is so loud anyway that every 
time he has a declamation he just takes the roof 
right oif the house.’ 

“ ‘ He brought the house down to-day.’ 

“ ‘ Did you see Frank Murray while Tom was 
speaking? He fairly boiled over, he was so jealous. 
It was as good as a show.’ 

“ ‘ Frank Murray thinks he’s the only pebble on 
the beach.’ 

' That’s so ; he thinks he’s the whole show.’ 

‘ He certainly is the worst I ever saw.’ 

' I’ve heard Frank Murray speak millions of 
times, but he isn’t in it with Tom in spite of all your 
kicking.’ 

“ ' He usually manages to keep up with the pro- 
cession, though.’ 

“ ‘ He hasn’t but one piece, and he’s spoken it so 
many times that it has become a regular chestnut.’ 

“ ‘ This speaking for the prize is a regular gamble. 
Sometimes you are it, and then again you’re just 
left.’ 

“ ' It’s a good thing to be able to throw a bluff, 
isn’t it? That’s what Tom Lathrop can do to beat 
the band.’ 

' I like Tom in spite of what you say. He’d 
run his feet off for any one.’ 

“ ‘ You’re crazy. I think he’s perfectly killing.’ 


MODERN ENGLISH 75 

‘ So do I. I thought I’d burst while he was 
orating to-day.’ 

“ ‘ I did too. I split my sides laughing.’ 

‘ Well, he hiked for home as soon as he made 
his bow.’ 

'' ' He isn’t a bum anyway, and that’s more than 
you can say for Frank.’ 

“ ‘ He’s a regular sour ball.’ 

“ ‘ He’s perfectly horrid, and you know it ! ’ 

“ ‘ He’s the worst bootlick in the school.’ 

'' ' Oh, come off ! Give us a rest ! Quit your 
knocking ! ’ ” 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE PROBLEM 


LL the boys at the table were laughing when 



xjL Jack abruptly paused in his relation of the im- 
aginary conversation in “ modern English,” and 
Mayo said, “ I didn’t believe it was possible for one 
man to quote so much slang in so short a time. Of 
course it’s true, Mr. Hobart ; but don’t you honestly 
think the girls do more of that than the boys ? ” 

“Why do you say that?” replied Jack. 

“ Because it seems to me they do. Last sum- 
mer, a lot of the young people one night made a 
plan to climb one of the mountains near where we 
were staying. One of the girls was the most en- 
thusiastic of us all, and she was determined to tell 
us how it was done, for it seems she had gone up 
the side of the mountain a week or two before with 
another party. ^ When I asked papa if I might go,’ 
she began, ‘ he took my head off. But I managed 
to have my own way of course, just as I usually do, 
and finally the crowd started. But they made me 
put on a lot of wraps and things that just completely 
suffocated me. When we were about half-way up, 
I slipped on a rock and broke my neck. Indeed I 
did. I guess yes. After they lifted me up, and I 


THE PROBLEM 


77 


tried to walk on, I just died from the pain. I man- 
aged to crawl on with the rest of the party ; but be- 
fore we got to the top I completely collapsed and 
had to sit down, for I knew I never could breathe 
again. However, they made me pull myself together 
somehow ; but by the time we got to the summit it 
was so cold that I was completely frozen. My ears 
were just pieces of ice. Oo-o-o-oh ! I never was so 
glad in all my life as I was when we came down to 
the hotel again. I went to bed that night just the 
minute I had my dinner, for I was absolutely dead 
with exhaustion.' " 

“ I may have heard language like that," acknowl- 
edged Jack, joining in the laughter of the boys. “ I 
don’t know that girls are worse than boys. As far 
as I have observed, it seems to me both are wrong in 
this matter. I am sure of one thing at all events, 
and that is, if I had my chance again I wouldn’t 
let the use of slang prevent me from getting a good 
vocabulary — if there wasn’t anything else to be said 
against it.’’ 

In spite of Jack’s apparently light-hearted way of 
meeting life and its problems his manifest serious- 
ness in what he had said was not without its im- 
pression on the boys ; but the topic now had so long 
been before them that by common consent it was 
abandoned and the never-failing interest in the 
athletics of the school reasserted itself with renewed 
power. 

After dinner the two friends made their way to 


78 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Doctor Gray’s house where they were cordially wel- 
comed, and even the staid old teacher appeared to be 
deeply interested in Jack’s description of his life 
and work in the school of law. 

“ Ward,” said Jack when at last he and his friend 
returned to the young teacher’s rooms in East Hall, 
“ this is a great place and it’s a great work you are 
doing.” 

“ Thank you,” assented Ward with a laugh. 

That’s true, even if it isn’t new.” 

“ It’s new to me anyway. I don’t know that I 
ever thought very much about what you said.” 

"What did I say?” 

" That you weren’t here just to teach the boys to 
read Latin but to teach them how to live.” 

" That’s it. Jack ! It’s the greatest work in the 
world.” 

" Maybe it is. I sha’n’t dispute it, for I can’t. 
‘ An earnest purpose, a definite aim, a strengthened 
will, and a clean heart.’ Oh, you needn’t laugh. 
Ward. I guess I can remember some of the doctor’s 
pet phrases just as well as some others.” 

" They’re good, anyway, and there’s hope, if one 
fellow remembers them so long after he has left 
Weston, that perhaps others won’t forget them 
either, and maybe they’ll come sometime to under- 
stand what they mean.” 

" They mean all right. But Ward, I was thinking, 
while you were speaking, of what had happened 
to the guaranteed automobile I bought last summer. 


THE PROBLEM 


79 


It was guaranteed against repairs for a year. But 
I never had a car that cost me so much as that did, 
in spite of that fact.’’ 

“ How was that ? Didn’t the concern live up to 
their agreement?” 

“ They didn’t have to.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“ There wasn’t over twenty-five dollars to pay 
for all the repairs the car needed.” 

“ I don’t see what you’re complaining of then.” 

“ The expense.” 

“ But you just said that wasn’t more than twenty- 
five dollars.” 

“ Ward,” said Jack soberly, “ I made a mistake 
when I bought that car. Oh, the car itself was all 
right, and the company lived up to the agreement — 
as far as it went.” 

“ Covered the repairs for a year, you said.” 

‘‘ Yes — ^the repairs to the car.” 

“ What more do you want ? ” 

“ Not the repairs I suffered but those that I in- 
flicted, are the ones I ought to have made the com- 
pany guarantee. I don’t believe I took that car out 
one day last summer that the thing didn’t do some 
damage. Sometimes it wouldn’t be anything more 
than running over a chicken. There’d be a cloud 
of feathers and a ghostly squawk pursuing us, and 
when I looked back I’d see a poor lump of wasted 
poultry lying there in the road. Sometimes the 
damage would be canine, sometimes feline, some- 


8o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


times bovine, and then again it would be equestrine, 
porcine, cataline ” 

“Hold on. Jack,” laughed Ward. “After your 
lecture to the boys to-night on the correct use of 
English ” 

“ That isn’t English, that’s Latin. It’s strange, it’s 
remarkable how the early lessons return. I had a 
big bovine pitch headforemost for my car the other 
day — he was drawn by its hue I fancy — and stand- 
ing up after I had got just the speed I wanted to 
keep ahead of him I looked into the face of that 
pursuing hos, a prince among cattle, and recited to 
him whole passages of Cicero’s words which the 
great orator had delivered centuries ago on similar 
occasions.” 

“What did you say?” 

Bos, bovis, bovi, bonem. O cattle! O cattle- 
ina! O temporal O mores! Desisto-desistere ! 
Quo usque tandem abuter, cattle-ina, patientia 
nostra f Quern ” 

“ Hold on. Jack,” laughed Ward interrupting his 
friend. “ What’s the point? ” 

“ Point ? Point ? Why it’s one thing to guaran- 
tee an automobile or a boy or a man against the 
damages he may suffer ; but what are you going to 
do about those which he inflicts and the other fel- 
lows have to pay for ? ” 

“ I’m afraid that can’t be put in the contract.” 

“ Yes, it can. That’s what you are here for, Ward, 
and you’ll do it. Do you remember Rodkinson ? ” 


THE PROBLEM 


8l 


‘‘Yes. What is he doing? He was the most 
peculiar fellow in our class.” 

“ His name was enough to condemn him. You 
couldn’t forget it. I was thinking of him on the 
way up to Weston, and somehow I couldn’t get his 
name out of my mind. Every click of the car- 
wheels seemed to be singing it over and over again 
to me — Rodkinson! Rodkinson! Rodkinson! Well, 
he’s gone into the real estate business.” 

“ Has he? Is he doing anything? ” 

“ You ought to see his circulars. Just now he’s 
booming the lots in a little suburban hamlet named 
Peveril-o’-the-Peak. I met him the other day, and 
he was full of his schemes. Couldn’t talk of any- 
thing else. He showed me one of his circulars 
which described his lots — plots would be a better 
word — and read me all the lurid descriptions. 
‘ Only ten dollars down for one of these beautiful 
lots, each of which is five minutes’ walk from the 
station.’ It appears that he had sold a lot the week 
before to a man who hadn’t even taken the trouble 
to go out to inspect the place before he gave up his 
cash. Afterward he went to Peveril-o’-the-Peak, 
and when he found that his lot, instead of being 
only five minutes’ walk from the station was more 
than thirty, his language became virile, vigorous, 
and pointed — at Rodkinson.” 

“ What did Rodkinson have to say ? ” 

“ Why, he smoothed the ruffled plumage of the 
purchaser whose name was Mr. Bird, by pointing to 

F 


82 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


a paragraph in the circular which read : ‘We guar- 
antee that everything connected with Peveril-o’-the- 
Peak is more than we have claimed for it in this 
modest prospectus/ I didn’t have the heart to ask 
Rodkinson if the man was satisfied with the expla- 
nation.” 

“ He ought to have been satisfied,” laughed 
Ward. “ The circular claimed only five minutes, 
and the man, it seems, got thirty with his purchase.” 

“ He did that. And that’s the way it is with 
Weston.” 

“ Jack, do you still feel about this fellow Malarkey 
as you did ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ You don’t think I ought to do anything about 
it?” 

“ No. You’re not the one. You have enough to 
do just now to attend to your own affairs.” 

“ Yes, I must attend to my own affairs,” said 
Ward thoughtfully. “ I wish some one would tell 
me just where to draw the line.” 

“ Don’t trouble yourself about that. Did you 
ever hear about the Englishman who was cast into 
prison for debt, and who spent all his time in jail 
figuring out a plan by which England could pay her 
national debt ? ” 

“ I can’t say that I ever did. What about him? ” 

“ That’s all I know,” replied Jack. “ I have gen- 
erally noticed that the man who doesn’t know how 
to mind his own business is usually the one who 


THE PROBLEM 83 

thinks he is capable of attending to the affairs of 
other people.” 

“ You're certainly a wise man, Jack,” laughed 
Ward, his face flushing slightly as he spoke. 

“ Oh, I don't mean that you are likely to do that, 
Ward,” said Jack quickly. “ All I wanted was to 
warn you. I have found that a good many people 
make trouble just because they don't understand. 
There's my mother for example. Only last summer, 
she said to me one day, ‘ Jack, I think college 
athletics are perfectly terrible. I don’t see why they 
are permitted.' ” 

“ ‘ What now, mater mea ? ' I asked her. 

“ ‘ Why, this paper says that in the intercollegiate 
games yesterday one of the students almost killed 
another. It’s a shame that such things should be 
allowed. I think the professors ought to put a 
stop to it.' 

“ ‘ Let me see the paper,' I said. Ward, what do 
you think it was she had been reading?” 

“ I haven't any idea.” 

“ In the report of the meet were these words, 
‘ MacCracken beat Barnes with the hammer.' I 
had some trouble in explaining to my little mother 
that the language was figurative,” continued Jack 
as his friend laughed. 

“ The trouble with her was that she was passing 
judgment on something she didn’t understand.” 

“ And the moral is that I don’t ‘ understand ’ 
how it is that Malarkey is playing halfback on the 


84 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Weston eleven ? Does Hogg ‘ understand ’ ? Jack, 
you know I do understand, and that is just the 
reason why you don’t want me to do anything 
about it.” 

“ Not at all,” replied Jack glibly. “ All I mean 
is that you don’t understand, or at least you don’t 
stop to think of all the conditions. If Weston was 
the only school that had a player who wasn’t exactly 
regular, why it would be a different matter entirely. 
But you have to take things as you find them. You 
mustn’t forget the feelings of the fellows here and 
how determined they are to win that game with the 
Burrs. Not one of them would understand if you 
should do anything now. It’s what others do, and 
you, while not approving, might as well acquiesce 
for the present. There isn’t any other way out of 
it, my boy. You’re not responsible for the world’s 
being what it is. All you can do is to do your best 
with things as they are, and with things as you 
would like to have them. You would only make 
trouble for yourself and not do a bit of good either, 
if you do what you say. But you won’t do it. Ward, 
I know you won’t. You’re too wise for that.” 


CHAPTER IX 


A CONVERSATION WITH MALARKEY 

T hroughout jack’s stay at Weston the sub- 
ject of Malarkey’s playing on the Weston team 
was not again mentioned. Ward was aware that 
his friend was not unmindful of his feeling, in spite 
of his failure to refer to the matter, and for his 
own part he was too greatly troubled to mention it 
again. 

And Ward Hill was seriously perplexed. There 
were times when he was eager to persuade himself 
that Jack must be right. Surely a more trusty 
friend could not be found than he was. Generous, 
free-hearted, sincere — Ward felt that he could trust 
Jack Hobart with anything. And Jack was so posi- 
tive that nothing ought to be done in the matter ! 

On the other hand, the fact that other schools 
were guilty of the same “ tricky ” methods, did not 
make the matter right. Nor could the fact that he 
was certain to make himself exceedingly unpopular 
among the students if he should protest against the 
playing of Malarkey, and that his present influence 
with the boys would be sharply curtailed, prevent 
Ward from seeing the real nature of the problem 
before him. Should he take the easy way or the 

85 


86 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


right way? Ought he to do what he knew would 
certainly bring upon him the bitter hostility of the 
very boys who now looked upon his interest in their 
behalf as one of the best elenients in their school 
life? Ward was not even certain that his fellow- 
teachers would agree with him in the position he 
might take. They too were not unmindful of their 
popularity among the students. Indeed, Ward had 
experienced at times almost a feeling of disgust for 
one of them — Mr. Barnes — who was never positive 
in his attitude, and made it a rule to trim his sails to 
the more favoring winds of school life. Besides, 
had he, as one of the youngest teachers in the school, 
a right to assert himself in this matter ? There were 
older and wiser heads than his, Ward endeavored 
to assure himself, in the Weston School, and who 
was he that he should attempt to turn upside down 
the customs that for a long time had remained un- 
challenged? Perhaps Jack was correct, and it was 
better as well as wiser to do his best with conditions 
as they were found, rather than to attempt to im- 
prove them by his revolutionary methods. 

In spite of all his efforts to ignore the matter or 
persuade himself that he was in nowise responsible 
for the prevailing custom, the question would not 
be banished. The easy way or the right, which 
ought he to follow? Was it a lack of courage that 
tempted him to draw back, or was it only the part 
of wisdom? 

Hoping that somehow the matter would adjust 


A CONVERSATION WITH MALARKEY 87 

itself without the necessity of interference on his 
part, Ward did his utmost “ not to cross the bridge 
before he came to it,’^ as he expressed it to himself, 
and he did not refer to the troublesome topic so 
long as Jack remained at Weston. 

When Monday morning came, and his friend 
prepared to return to the city on the early train. 
Ward walked with him to the little station. 

You don’t know, Jack, how much good you have 
done me by your visit,” he said warmly. 

“ Don’t I ? ” laughed Jack. “ Well, I may not be 
unduly modest, but no one ever yet impeached my 
honesty. I came up here, of course, not because I 
wanted to see you, or get a peep at these old hills 
again, or secure a slight relaxation for my jaded 
brain! Oh, no, I wasn’t selfish. It was purely a 
missionary motive — just to help out Ward Hill; 
poor chap. He needs a bit of encouragement ! He 
hasn’t any prospects ! He’s without a future ! He’s 
likely to dry up without having anything to take 
his mind off himself.” 

“ That’s all right. Jack,” said Ward. “ I under- 
stand all that ; but it does me good just to see you. 
I know it will be harder for me after you are gone.” 

Of course it will. But do your best, my boy. 
I’m coming up again when that game with the Burrs 
comes off. You’ll have that to look forward to, any- 
way, Ward.” 

In spite of the apparently light manner of Jack, 
his friend well knew the depth of feeling behind it 


88 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


all, and his own heart was warm as he glanced at 
him. 

Here comes your train, Jack,” he said as a cloud 
of smoke was seen in the distant valley. 

“ Such is life. Ward,” remarked Jack cheerily, as 
he lifted his suitcase and walked toward the end of 
the platform. It’s Weston to-day and the law 
school to-morrow, but Ward Hill all the time ! Try 
to get off for a day or two and come down to see us. 
We’ll make room for you if we have to put Ned 
Butler out in the hall to sleep nights.” 

“ I sha’n’t get a day until the Thanksgiving re- 
cess, and I may be fortunate if I do then. You re- 
member there are always some of the boys who have 
to stay here then, they’re so far from home they 
can’t go away, and where the boys are there must 
the teachers be also.” 

I’ll be up before then, anyway,” called Jack as 
he boarded the train. “ Good-bye, Ward ! Be good 
to yourself, old man ! ” 

Ward stood on the platform and watched the de- 
parting train, on the rear platform of which he could 
see his friend standing and waving his cap as long 
as he remained in sight. When the winding valley 
at last prevented the departing visitor from being 
any longer visible. Ward turned to retrace his way 
to the school. 

For a time, in spite of his efforts to assure himself 
that he was a fortunate fellow in being back in the 
beautiful little village and at work among the boys, 




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A CONVERSATION WITH MALARKEY 89 

his heart was not light. Perhaps it was only Jack’s 
departure that troubled him, he thought. The 
breezy, confident, generous Jack, whose conscience 
apparently never troubled him, and whose confi- 
dence that whatever he did must be right was so 
abounding. It was good to have seen him, but it 
would never do to let any feeling of despondency or 
regret come now, and resolutely Ward Hill began to 
walk more briskly, and his thoughts turned upon 
the first recitation he was to conduct. The chimes 
from the clock in the tower of the gymnasium rang 
out, sounding wonderfully sweet in the fresh morn- 
ing air, and as he was aware that he was due in 
his classroom in a half-hour. Ward again increased 
the speed at which he was walking. 

“ Good morning, Mr. Hill. Want a lift? ” 

Ward turned sharply at the unexpected hail, and 
beheld Malarkey behind him. The “ football stu- 
dent ” was seated on a board which had been thrown 
across a lumber wagon filled with potatoes, and he 
was driving a team of heavy farm horses. 

At first Ward was tempted to decline, but as he 
glanced at his watch, and then also suddenly realized 
that he now had an opportunity to talk with Ma- 
larkey alone, he answered abruptly, “ Thank you, 
Malarkey. Til be glad to ride with you.” 

Climbing over the wheel Ward seated himself be- 
side the driver, and as he glanced at the powerful 
young fellow, he could not find it in his heart to be 
angry with the Weston boys for desiring to have 


90 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Malarkey as a member of their eleven. A more 
powerful physique Ward was positive he had never 
seen. And even the face of Malarkey was not so 
lacking in intelligence, now that he was seated close 
beside the young giant, as it had appeared to be 
when he had first been seen on the football field. 

“Do you come to Weston every morning?’’ in- 
quired Ward pleasantly. 

“ I come ’most every day,” replied Malarkey. 
“ Leastwise, I do while the football season is on,” 
he added, a grin spreading over his face as he spoke. 

“ You are planning to enter the school, I hear.” 

“S’pose I’ll have to. Who told ye?” 

“ I think it was Hogg.” 

“ He ought to know.” 

“ When are you coming, Malarkey ? ” 

“ ’Most ev’ry day, as I told ye.” 

“ Yes, but when do you enter the school as a 
student? ” 

“ Better ask Hogg ’bout that.” 

“ Don’t you know ? I’m sure you ought to be the 
one to be best informed in a matter like that.” 

“ Oh, I’m cornin’ all right, all right.” 

“When?”* 

“ Can’t just say.” 

“ You are really going to come? You are sure of 
that, are you ? ” 

“ Yes. S’pose I’ll have to.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“ Nothin’ much. I don’t s’pose they’ll let me play 


A CONVERSATION WITH MALARKEY gi 

in the game with the Burrs if I don’t take some- 
thin’.” 

“ Which course are you planning to take? ” 
Which what?” 

“ Which course of study.” 

'' I don’t know’s I jest understand ye. Mebbe 
Hogg can tell ye. He’s the one I have my dealin’s 
with.” 

“ What kind of dealings do you mean ? ” 

Why, he’s the feller what ” Malarkey 

stopped abruptly as if he had just become aware 
that he was talking too freely. 

“ Do you expect to receive enough to pay your 
tuition ? ” 

“ Do I what? You bet your life I don’t do nothin’ 
for nothin’. I guess I know which side o’ my bread 
is buttered.” 

“ Malarkey, how long do you plan to remain as a 
student in Weston?” 

“ Oh, long ’nough.” 

“ Long enough for what ? ” 

To fix things.” 

“ What are you expecting — what studies do you 
plan to take?” 

'' I can’t jest say. I guess ” 

‘‘What do you guess?” inquired Ward, as Ma- 
larkey abruptly ceased. 

“ Oh, I ain’t much on books.” 

“ A little stronger on football ? ” 

“ Bet yer life,” assented Malarkey glibly. 


92 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ But what studies will you take ? ” persisted 
Ward. 

“ Writin’ mebbe.’’ 

What else?” 

“ A little spellin’.” 

What else?” 

“ That’s ’bout ’nough for me,” laughed the young 
giant. “ Mebbe you’ll have me in your class. Last 
time I went t’ school I helped fire th’ teacher out o’ 
the window into a snowbank. That’s bout th’ last 
schoolin’ I had.” 

“ I’m afraid you didn’t profit very much,” said 
Ward quietly. 

“Why not?” 

“ You lost more than you gained. I’ve seen 
boys do the same thing in other ways. They think 
* getting ahead of their teachers ’ is an evidence of 
their cleverness, but they don’t realize that really 
they are standing in their own way, and that they 
are losing just so much, not gaining.” 

Malarkey grinned but made no reply. 

“ Did the Weston boys offer you more — more in- 
ducements to come to Weston than the Burrs did 
to come to them? ” Ward regretted asking the ques- 
tion as soon as the words were spoken, but it was 
too late to recall them. 

“ I’m jest playin’ football for my health,” re- 
marked Malarkey. “ That feller what was here 
Sat’day an’ helped coach, he’s a jim-dandy, he is.” 

“You mean Hobart?” 


A CONVERSATION WITH MALARKEY 


93 


“ Yes, that’s what Hogg called him. D’ye know 
what he said t’ me ? ” 

“ No,” replied Ward, his fear increasing at the 
question. 

“ Well, sir, he said if I’d go through the school 
here an’ then go on t’ college, ’twouldn’t cost me a 
cent. Not a cent, sir! Here we be!” Malarkey 
added, as the team halted in front of the boarding- 
hall. 

As Ward looked up he saw Hogg and Mayo 
just coming out of the building, and as they be- 
held the teacher with Malarkey they both laughed, 
and then Hogg’s face clouded and he at once ap- 
proached the wagon. 


CHAPTER X 


WHAT WARD OVERHEARD 


OOD morning, Mr. Hill,” said Hogg. “ You 



VJT are out for an early morning drive, I see,” he 
added quizzically, as he glanced first at Malarkey 
and then at the load of potatoes. 

Yes,” replied Ward, as he leaped lightly to the 
ground. IVe been down to the station to give my 
friend, Mr. Hobart, a good start. He went back to 
the city on the early train.” 

“ Too bad. He ought to have stayed and given 
us some more points for the team. He’s one of the 
best coaches we ever had.” 

“ He is that,” chimed in Mayo. “ He gave me 
more than any man that has been on the field this 


fall.” 


Hogg,” said Ward quietly, when does Ma- 
larkey register ? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t know,” laughed Hogg. Then turn- 
ing to the halfback he inquired, “ Malarkey, when 
are you going to enter the school ? ” 

“ ’Most any time,” grinned Malarkey. “ That’s 
fer you to say.” 

“ We’ll fix that up all right. Never you fear, Mr. 
Hill. We’ll have Malarkey a full-fledged Weston 


94 


WHAT WARD OVERHEARD 


95 


boy before you know it/’ Hogg’s manner was so 
confident, his bearing so indifferent, not to say in- 
solent, that Ward Hill was disgusted, almost angry 
for the moment at the way the young giant appar- 
ently treated the entrance of the questionable player. 
That there was any question of right or even of 
honor involved, did not appear even to have occurred 
to him. Malarkey was one who was in demand for 
the team, and beyond that Hogg manifestly had not 
gone. The game with the Burrs must be won, and 
if fair means would not win the longed-for victory, 
then other methods, fair or foul, must be used. 
Victory at any price was the sole aim. 

Troubled and perplexed. Ward left the place and 
went to his classroom. It was not the parts into 
which all Gaul is divided that was in his mind, so 
much as the division of the Weston School. That 
his own feeling was not shared by the boys did not 
quiet his mind. He must, both for the sake of the 
honor of the school and for the welfare of the boys, 
find some way out, though the troubled young 
teacher at the time was able to conceive of only 
one. 

Striving to banish from his thoughts the perplex- 
ing problem, he gave his attention to the recitation, 
but when it was ended he had a feeling that his 
work had been unsatisfactory from every point of 
view. Indeed, at the close of the hour, when Hogg 
and Mayo delayed a moment to speak to him, and 
the former said, “ You’re coming down to the field 


96 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


this afternoon for the practice, aren’t you, Mr. 
Hill ? ” he felt almost angry at the stalwart, self- 
possessed, easy-going young giant, who apparently 
took life as a light affair, banishing all that he did 
not care to face, and ignoring all its deeper ques- 
tions. 

‘‘ Yes, I’ll try to come,” Ward said quietly. 

“ Thank you. That’s good,” said Mayo enthusi- 
astically. “ You don’t know, Mr. Hill, what it 
means to us to have one of the teachers really in- 
terested. The most of them seem to think we’re 
here just to grind out a certain amount of Latin or 
Greek, and that’s all there is to it.” 

“ What are you here for, Mayo ? ” 

“ Why to prepare for college,” replied the boy 
in surprise. 

“ What do you think that is ? ” 

“What do I think what is?” 

“ Preparing for college.” 

“ Learning enough to pass the entrance exams so 
that I can go to Tegrus next year.” 

“ Is that all?” 

“ Why, yes, Mr. Hill. What more is there to it? ” 
inquired Mayo. 

“What are you going to Tegrus for?” 

“ What am I going for ? Why — why — I don’t 
know that I understand. My father went there, 
and ever since I have heard anything, I’ve heard the 
talk that I was to go there too. It was as much a 
part of me as — as my name.” 


WHAT WARD OVERHEARD 


97 


“ Did you ever think what all this ‘ preparation ^ 
was for? Why one is sent to a preparatory school 
and then to college ? ’’ 

“ Why to get an education. Isn’t that it ? ” 

“ And what is an education, Mayo ? ” 

“ What is what ? ” said Mayo in surprise. 

An education.” 

Why it’s — it’s to take a course of study ; it’s to 

— to ” Mayo stopped in some confusion, and 

Hogg laughed aloud. 

It’s all a preparation,” said Ward quietly; “but 
every fellow that takes it ought to understand what 
it is all for.” 

“What is it for, Mr. Hill?” inquired Hogg. 

“ For life.” 

“ Oh, yes, we all know that,” said Hogg flip- 
pantly. 

“ No, I’m afraid you don’t. That’s just it,” said 
Ward eagerly. “ If a fellow really appreciated that, 
he wouldn’t let so many things get away from him. 
Most boys have an idea that the early work is not a 
part of what comes later. They seem to think they 
are in something distinct from real life when they 
are in school or college. Some of them take it as a 
matter of course, just as Mayo here says the reason 
for his going to Tegrus is that his father went there 
before him, and he has taken it for granted that he 
was to go there too. But it’s not so, boys. You 
can’t separate the first from the second. There’s 
something that binds them together. It’s like the 

G 


98 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


seed and the harvest. It is not only a preparation 
for life, but it’s a part of life. A man doesn’t al- 
ways believe it, but it’s true that he reaps as he 
sows; he reaps what he sows, and he reaps a good 
deal more than he sows. I know what I’m talking 
about, boys.” 

“ You’re a good preacher, Mr. Hill,” laughed 
Hogg. “ I guess you know what you’re talking 
about, just as you say you do ; for if reports are to 
be believed, you were quite a bird yourself when 
you were a boy here in Weston.” 

Ward’s face flushed in spite of his efforts at self- 
control, and for a moment he was so angry at the in- 
solence of Hogg that he was tempted to send him to 
his room. His feelings were not soothed when 
the two boys departed, and when he stepped to 
the window Ward saw that both were laughing, and 
that Hogg was shaking his head and talking to his 
companion. What the subject of their conversation 
was, the young teacher was positive that he knew, 
and the conviction did not by any means tend to 
soothe his feelings. 

It was only when the recitations of the day were 
ended, and Ward was alone in his room, that he 
was able to look calmly at the experience of the 
morning. He had taken too much upon himself, 
he declared angrily. Of course he had no right to 
“ preach ” to the boys. He was too young and in- 
experienced to volunteer advice. If they came to 
him with their inquiries, that was entirely different. 


WHAT WARD OVERHEARD 


99 


He had thrust himself upon Hogg and Mayo. They 
had not asked him for a sermon. Eager as he was 
to enter into the life of the Weston School, he 
realized now that he had begun in the wrong way. 
It was like writing a story with a moral attached 
to the end. It was not only like that, but he had 
even gone on to reverse the process, and had placed 
the moral at the beginning instead of the end, al- 
though in reality it had no place at all. 

Henceforth he would not be guilty, Ward reso- 
lutely declared to himself. He would enter into the 
life of the boys more freely, but he would not at- 
tempt to preach to them until they asked him. He 
recalled his experiences with Mr. Crane, and his 
cheeks flamed again as he thought how he never 
thrust himself upon the boys. And yet how scorch- 
ing and forceful his words had been when he had 
spoken. There was a lesson in it all which Ward 
had failed to learn. 

Abruptly Ward departed from his room, and at 
once made his way to the football field, convinced 
that even Malarkey was not now within his province. 
The reaction had come and Ward’s heart was 
lighter; and he quickened his steps as the shouts 
from the field were heard. 

It comforted him to perceive how warmly his 
coming was hailed, and when the hour of practice 
had passed. Ward realized that never had he thrown 
himself so completely into the game as he did on 
that occasion. His suggestions had all been re- 


lOO 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


ceived in apparently the best of spirit, and not a 
trace of Hogg’s somewhat sneering attitude of the 
morning remained. Malarkey had not appeared, 
but Ward had not made any inquiries concerning 
the young giant’s absence, hopeful, yet by no means 
confident, that the boys had at last realized the mis- 
take they were making. 

After he returned to his rooms Ward seated him- 
self at his desk to examine the papers which had 
been submitted in the monthly test, and soon he was 
so busied in his task that other matters were for- 
gotten or ignored. The door of his room was open 
into the hall, for the day was unusually warm for 
the season of the year. 

His labors were interrupted by the sound of 
voices in the hall, and he recognized them as those of 
Hogg and Mayo. There was no intention of listen- 
ing on his part, but it was impossible not to hear 
what was said. 

“ He isn’t in,” Hogg was saying. “ He’s left his 
door open.” 

“ Better be sure,” warned Mayo. 

‘‘ It’s all right. I didn’t find any fault with him as 
long as he attended to his own affairs. He’s a 
good enough fellow, though he isn’t the kind I like.” 

“ What was it Malarkey said? ” 

‘‘ He said Hill had been quizzing him ; tried to 
find out how much we paid him, and asked him all 
sorts of questions about when he intended to enter, 
and what studies he was going to take.” 


WHAT WARD OVERHEARD 


lOI 


“ Malarkey said he filled him full.” 

Oh, he isn’t such a fool as he looks.” 

^‘Who isn’t?” 

Malarkey, of course,” laughed Hogg. Who 
else ? ” 

“ I didn’t know but you meant ” 

“ He doesn’t amount to enough to get mad over. 
He’s one of the fellows my father is always talking 
about. He knows books, but he doesn’t know any- 
thing else. Wasn’t that sermon of his great this 
morning? If he was so cocksure of what he said, 
I’d like to have him explain why it is he’s a teacher 
in Weston after the record he made here when he 
was in the school. I’d have asked him too, if I 
had had half a chance.” 

'' You wouldn’t dare.” 

‘'I wouldn’t? You just watch me!” 

“ I will. Do you think he really intends to make 
any trouble about Malarkey ? ” 

Trouble? No! I think he intends to try all 
right, if that is what you mean. But he can’t 
do it.” 

Why can’t he ? I think the best way is to have 
Malarkey come now. There couldn’t be any chance 
if he did.” 

“ You don’t know what you’re talking about. 
Malarkey can’t tell the difference between — between 
— Caesar and — and English.” 

Can you ? ” laughed Mayo. 

Sure I can. What made me mad though, was 


102 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


to see Hill try to ' bootlick ’ to-day. Did you ever 
see anything like what he was this afternoon? He 
was sweet to everybody — too good to be true. 
WeVe got him scared all right. Fll fix him with my 
eagle eye if he tries any more of his tricks.” 

“ What’ll you do?” 

“You wait and see! He isn’t here now and we 
might as well move on. I don’t believe I’ll have to 
do a thing I He hasn’t any nerve anyway. I 
thought at first he was a fairly decent fellow, but 
he’s too soft for me. Come on ! ” 


CHAPTER XI 


A DECISION 

F or a long time Ward Hill sat at his desk after 
the two boys had departed, almost stunned by 
the words he had overheard. He had a conviction 
too, that Hogg intended that he should hear what 
was said, and the thought increased the wretched- 
ness of the young teacher. He had been so eager 
to be understood by the boys. Aware, as he was, of 
his own sincere desire to aid in working out the best 
in the Weston life, it was almost incomprehensible 
that his purpose should be so misconstrued, and his 
best efforts derided. He was as eager for Weston 
to win the football game with the Burrs as any boy 
in the school. He realized how much success meant 
to the student body, and he was not one whit behind 
the most enthusiastic in his own feelings. And now 
to be misunderstood, as plainly he was, if the words 
of Hogg and Mayo were to be believed, was hard. 

The most biting of all was the accusation that he 
had coached the team in the hope of winning the 
favor of the boys. Anger was mingled with his 
feeling of chagrin at the charge. It was true, he 
thought soberly, that he did desire the good-will 
of the Weston boys ; but as for gaining it by cheap- 

103 


104 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


ening himself — the very implication caused Ward’s 
feeling of indignation to return with redoubled 
force. His first thought was that never again would 
he go down to the field. If his willingness to give 
his own time was received in the spirit in which 
Hogg declared it had been, then he would not again 
place himself where such a charge could be implied, 
much less made. 

Then to the troubled soul of Ward came the recol- 
lection of the words of Doctor Gray, when he had 
had his interview with him concerning the position 
which had been offered after the resignation of Mr. 
Crane : “ I do not forget. Hill,” the doctor had said 
in that genial, winning way he had, which seldom 
failed to bind his listener to him, that you have not 
had any experience in teaching, but that lack will 
soon be overcome. And I am so positive that your 
influence over the boys will be good that it more 
than compensates for any lack of experience. You 
will understand, as those of us who are older never 
can, just what will appeal to the better side of the 
boys; and your own successful career as a student, 
and also as an athlete, will be of great assistance to 
the entire school. I am confident your work in the 
classroom will be good, and will steadily improve; 
but, for a time at least, it will be your personal con- 
tact that will count for most. We shall expect you 
to help the boys in their sports and games, and by 
your personal touch keep the standard high.” 

The words were as vivid now in Ward’s mind as 


A DECISION 


105 


when they were first spoken by the doctor, but their 
very vividness only added to his wretchedness. Was 
he to fail? Were Doctor Gray’s high hopes to be 
disappointed? Ward recalled too the pride of his 
own father when the appointment had been made. 
His suffering over the failure of his son would be 
even keener than Ward’s, although at the moment 
it seemed to the young teacher that none could be 
so bad as his own. 

A half-dozen courses of action at once presented 
themselves to his troubled mind. One was to make 
no further reference to the presence of a player in 
the eleven who was plainly expecting to be paid for 
his services, and no more represented the Weston 
school than would a man imported from China, who 
had never heard of the famous school nestled among 
the hills. If he were to do this. Ward well knew 
that all the latent but growing opposition would 
quickly cease. And too, to follow the suggestion 
would be only to do what many of the rival schools 
were doing. Indeed, the new head of the Burr 
school, in accepting the position, was reported to 
have said to his trustees : “ I will build up this 
school if you will leave me absolutely free in one 
line. You may secure what teachers you please, and 
the better they are the better suited I shall be; but 
you are not to interfere with me in the matter of 
athletics. I will guarantee, if you agree to this, that 
within two years I’ll have the attendance doubled. 
When that has been brought to pass, and the income 


I06 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

increased proportionately, you will find that all other 
matters will take care of themselves.” 

Ward had reported the rumor to Doctor Gray, 
and had been slightly surprised when he appeared to 
be more amused than disgusted. The young teacher 
had a feeling of veneration for the man at the head 
of the Weston School, and though he would not 
acknowledge the thought even to himself, he never- 
theless knew that he was perplexed and troubled by 
the principal’s lack of indignation. Ward himself 
was so eager, so enthusiastic in his desires to do all 
in his power to elevate the tone, as well as the stand- 
ard of Weston, that the attitude of Doctor Gray 
had strongly impressed him. Was he mistaken in 
his own ideals ? Ward asked himself. Did he stand 
alone? Had the desire to win at any cost poisoned 
even the aims of the men at the head of the school ? 

The questions were troublesome, and, cast down 
as Ward Hill was at the time, they served to in- 
crease his misery. Ought he to yield? Was the 
problem of his own future success, in such a marked 
degree dependent upon his own early record as a 
teacher in Weston, of less importance than a few 
ideas concerning who ought to be permitted to play 
on the school eleven? In spite of the brutal words 
of Hogg, Ward was still persuaded that his own 
peace would be secure if he did not interfere with 
the plans for the football season. Was it not better 
to follow Jack’s advice — even Jack apparently was 
against him — and do as his friend suggested, to 


A DECISION 


107 


attend strictly to his own business ” ? Why should 
he set up his own standards and ignore what appar- 
ently was accepted by most of the schools of which 
he had any knowledge ? 

Suddenly the thought of what Mr. Crane would 
say occurred to Ward. In the very room in which 
he was now seated the former teacher in Weston 
had set before his pupil some of the principles by 
which he believed himself to be guided at the present 
time. Mr. Crane’s words concerning the temptation 
of the young Carpenter, at the very beginning of 
his career, were recalled so vividly by Ward that it 
almost seemed to him he could hear the very tones 
of his voice. The easy way or the right way? The 
popular and successful course, or the lonely and the 
troublesome one? Which should it be? 

Suddenly Ward seized a sheet of paper and began 
to write a letter to Mr. Crane. He set forth fully 
the real conditions as he believed them to be; the 
threatening opposition and unpopularity that were 
to be seen; his fear that not even the teachers at 
Weston would uphold him, and the certain difficulty, 
not to say failure, which must be his if once the 
student body understood that he was the only one 
of the teachers who actively was opposed to Ma- 
larkey’s playing. What would Mr. Crane advise 
under the circumstances? 

As soon as the letter was written Ward at once 
sealed it, and started for the post-office. When he 
entered, a sudden feeling of hesitation swept over 


I08 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

him. Should he send the letter? Ought he to 
trouble Mr. Crane who doubtless, in his own new 
position, was having many perplexing problems of 
his own? Abruptly he tore the letter into bits, and 
threw them into the wastebasket beneath the desk in 
the outer room. It was time for vacillating to cease, 
he assured himself. The problem was his own, and 
he alone must solve it. With his decision formed. 
Ward at once departed from the building and, as 
it was now time for supper, he proceeded at once to 
the dining-hall. 

When Ward Hill took his seat at the head of the 
table he was surprised, and in a measure relieved 
as well, to discover that the attitude of the boys 
apparently was not unfriendly. Even Hogg did not 
speak of the prospects of the team, at least for a 
time; but before the supper was ended the prevail- 
ing interest of the boys in the absorbing topic of 
the game with the Burrs once more asserted itself. 

“ It’ll be the greatest thing for Weston, in its 
history, if we win that game,” asserted Mayo, with 
the manifest approval of the boys. “ Don’t you 
think so, Mr. Hill ? ” he added. 

I think it will be great,” replied Ward quietly. 

I don’t think it will be the greatest.” 

“But think what it will mean, Mr. Hill,” said 
Mayo. “ It will make Weston known everywhere. 
There’ll be more boys here than there ever have 
been before. You want the school full, don’t you, 
Mr. Hill?” 


A DECISION 


109 


I certainly do/’ 

“And don’t you think, if the team wins, it will 
help draw ? ” 

“ Undoubtedly.” 

“ That’s what I think too,” joined in Hogg. 
“We all want to see the old school grow. More 
fellows will come if we win that game than from 
anything else. You know that’s so, don’t you, Mr. 
Hill?” 

Ward had a feeling that the line of conversation 
was not without design, and that perhaps Hogg 
and Mayo might be trying to get him to commit 
himself in such a manner that his words might be 
turned against him at some future time. Striving 
to ignore the manifest eagerness of all the boys at 
the table, he said quietly : “ I have no doubt, Hogg, 
that what you say is true. A successful team, with- 
out any question, will help draw to Weston a good 
many students — of a certain kind.” 

“ You have to have all kinds in a school like 
this, Mr. Hill,” said Hogg confidently, although 
he was not unaware of the smile that had appeared 
on the faces of Bullock and Carter, who were both 
members of the team. 

“ I do not agree with you.” 

“ You don’t ! ” exclaimed Hogg with a sneer. 

“ No. I’d rather have Weston a good school than 
a large school. The boys who might enter because 
of the reputation Weston might gain in athletics, 
might not be of very much value after they came.” 


no 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Carter laughed, and said : “ That’s no reflection 
on this year’s team, is it, Mr. Hill ? ” 

“ Not at all. We were talking of the future, not 
of the present.” 

“ You said the other day that the present made 
the future,” suggested Mayo. 

Yes.” 

“ Don’t you think so now ? ” 

“ I do.” 

‘‘ I thought you said you wanted to see Weston 
grow,” sneered Hogg. 

“ Yes.” 

“ Well, if a good team helps make Weston big- 
ger, what then ? ” 

“ I did not say I wanted to see Weston bigger.” 

‘‘ Yes, you did, Mr. Hill,” declared Hogg, as he 
glanced at his companions for confirmation. 

“ You misunderstood me, Hogg,” said Ward, as 
he looked steadily at the captain. “ What I said, 
or at least what I meant to say, was that I wanted 
to see Weston great. Not merely big,” he added 
quietly. 

What’s the difference ? ” demanded Hogg more 
loudly. 

“ A pillow is big and a policeman’s club is 
small ” 

A laugh from the boys interrupted the teacher, 
and Hogg’s face instantly flushed in his anger. 

“ That’s all right, but you’ve got to have numbers 
in a school,” he asserted. 


A DECISION 


III 


To an extent, yes,” acknowledged Ward quietly; 
“ but there is a greatness of weight as well as of size 
A school must be weighed as well as counted.” 
You’ve got to have somebody to weigh ! ” 

Yes.” 

“ How’ll you get them. I’d like to know ? ” 

“ By doing good work. By letting it be known 
that every fellow that graduates at Weston is well 
prepared for college and is a gentleman.” 

Again the boys laughed, and Hogg’s face flushed. 

I guess you’ll have to take us as you find us,” he 
said. 

“ That doesn’t mean that we are to leave you in 
the same condition.” 

“ Don’t you believe in making the team win ? ” 
inquired Mayo. 

“ I do — if it can be done by fair means. I want 
very much to see you win the game with the Burrs. 
I want it as much as any of you do, and sometimes 
I think I want it more. But I’d rather have you lose 
fairly than win any other way.” 

But what if the other team puts up a crooked 
game?” asked Bullock quickly. 


CHAPTER XII 


A CRISIS 

T hat makes no difference/’ Ward said as he 
glanced at Bullock. 

“ Makes all the difference in the world/’ retorted 
Hogg angrily. Football isn’t a Sunday-school 
game, and it isn’t one for girls either. You have to 
take things as you find them.” 

“ And because one team is crooked another must 
be too?” asked Ward. 

“ Yes,” said Hogg. 

“ Because one man is in State’s prison, therefore 
every man ought to be ? ” 

“ No.” 

What is your argument then, Hogg?” inquired 
Ward with a smile. 

“ You have to take things as you find them, and 
do the best you can,” said Hogg. “ That doesn’t 
mean that you like everything; but a man is a fool 
who doesn’t do anything till he finds everything 
just as he likes it.” 

“ Because every man born into the world is ig- 
norant at first, you would not have any schools to 
make him different? Is that what you mean, 
Hogg?” 


II2 


A CRISIS 


II3 

“No, I don’t. But Fd have the school take him 
as he is, and do the best that can be done for him, 
that’s all. I wouldn’t have the school wait till the 
boys know more before it touches them.” Hogg 
could see the glances of approval on the faces of 
his companions, and he laughed brutally in his con- 
fidence. 

“ You might tell the examining committee of the 
faculty at Tegrus College your views on that sub- 
ject,” suggested Ward dryly. 

The boys all laughed, and Hogg’s anger instantly 
returned. “ You know what I mean,” he said 
gruffly. “ I believe in a straight game as much as 
anybody does, but I don’t believe in mollycoddles. 
Mr. Hill, you’re like the woman who wouldn’t let 
her boy go near the water until he had learned to 
swim.” 

“Am I?” 

“ Yes, sir, you are ! ” 

“ Hogg, what is football ? ” inquired Ward, ignor- 
ing the tension that was becoming manifest. 

“ You’ve played the game yourself,” retorted 
Hogg. 

“ We had a coach in college who advised us when 
we were lined up, just as the signal was given, to 
grab a handful of dirt and throw it or rub it into the 
eyes of the player on the opposing team. Was 
that football ? ” 

“ It’s a mighty good suggestion, anyway,” said 
Hogg, as all the boys laughed. 

H 


1 14 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ He told US too/’ continued Ward, ignoring the 
interruption, “ for every one to grab his man by the 
muscles, and squeeze or pinch as hard as he could. 
Was that football?” 

“ It’s another good suggestion,” affirmed Hogg, 
as the boys laughed again. 

“Is it football?” persisted Ward. 

“ It helped Tegrus to win.” 

“ That’s not my question. Was it football ? ” 

“ It was all in the game.” 

“ It might have been in it, but it wasn’t a part of 
it.” 

“ Look here, Mr. Hill, what did your team play 
for, anyway ? ” 

“ We played straight football and tried to win 
every game.” 

“ Did you rule out any fellow ” 

“ Yes, we did,” interrupted Ward. “ We wouldn’t 
stand for anything that wasn’t clean. We lost some 
games, of course, and some of them we lost just be- 
cause we couldn’t stoop to the low-down tricks of 
muckers. It doesn’t mean because a team insists 
upon being gentlemen that the sport suffers.” 

“ I’m afraid that’s most too good to be true, Mr. 
Hill,” laughed Mayo. 

“ Not at all. Schools and colleges don’t escape 
the universal law any more than men do. We 
stopped playing with some colleges just because they 
wouldn’t play the game. It seems to me too, Hogg, 
that I recollect having heard you refer to what you 


A CRISIS 


II5 

called the ‘ dirty work ’ of the Burrs in a game 
when they worked in an extra football from the 
side-lines. Was that fair?” 

“ No, sir, it wasn’t,” declared Hogg loudly. “ It 
was the lowest ” 

“ Hold on a minute, Hogg,” interrupted Ward. 
“ You say that was not fair, and we all agree with 
you. Now, suppose that instead of a football they 
had worked in a player who wasn’t connected with 
the school ? How would that be ? ” 

“ They couldn’t do it.” 

But they did work in an additional ball when 
it was getting dark. Now, if it was dark and they 
worked in a player from Harvard or Yale or 
Pennsylvania ” 

“ We’d quit,” broke in Hogg warmly. 

“ Of course you would,” said Ward quietly. “ But 
suppose it was in the light, and when the game 
first began, that they tried it? Suppose they hired 
Grady to come up from Yale and dressed him up in 
the uniform of the Burrs, would you call that 
straight ? ” 

“ We’d get onto it.” 

“ But it might be that you didn’t find it out till the 
game was ended. What would you do ? ” 

“ Take my medicine like a little man and not 
whine. Then the next time I’d see that we met them 
on equal terms.” 

“ And you’d still call it a game between the 
Weston eleven and the Burrs? ” 


Il6 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ Of course/' 

“ Suppose, instead of getting one Yale man you 
got two, would you still call it the Weston eleven? " 

“ Yes." 

“ Suppose there were five ? " 

Same." 

‘‘ Finally, suppose only one real Weston man was 
left on the team, and that's something I know of as 
actually occurring on a college team one year, 
would you still call it the Weston team?" 

“ I’d let the majority rule," laughed Hogg. 

“You don’t think we're going to rope in any 
outsiders this fall, do you, Mr. Hill?” inquired 
Mayo. 

“ I sincerely hope you will not." 

“ Of course we sha'n’t,” said Mayo. “ When we 
line up against the Burrs every player on our team 
will be a Weston fellow." 

“ Sure, he will," rejoined Hogg, winking at Mayo 
as he spoke, an action which was not lost upon 
Ward. 

It was plain to the young teacher, when he re- 
turned to his room that evening, that his position 
was understood by the boys, and almost equally plain 
that few or none stood by him. Depressed by the 
conversation he had overheard in the afternoon, the 
talk at the supper table had in a measure, at least, 
helped to restore a calmer mind and, although he 
was well aware of the difficulties he must face. Ward 
Hill had now decided upon his course of action. 


A CRISIS 


II7 

No reference was made either by Ward or by 
any of the boys in the two weeks that followed to the 
presence of Malarkey on the team. Ward was aware 
that the young giant had not been enrolled as a 
pupil, for he daily ascertained that fact. Every 
practice day too, Ward went down to the athletic 
field and assisted in coaching the players. Appar- 
ently it had been accepted by Hogg and his friends 
that Ward did not intend to make any further pro- 
test against Malarkey’s playing. A new enthusiasm 
was manifest, and to all appearances the young 
teacher had more than regained his former pop- 
ularity. Even Hogg, whose dislike Ward felt al- 
most instinctively, no longer assumed an attitude of 
sneering opposition to what the young teacher said. 
The subject of the approaching game with the 
Burrs, which now was less than two weeks distant, 
was not unnaturally the absorbing subject of conver- 
sation at the table and elsewhere, but Ward was 
watchful and careful, eager to avoid trouble, if pos- 
sible, but still unchanged in the purpose he had 
formed. 

One Wednesday afternoon, at the close of the 
only recitation which was conducted on that day 
after dinner, and an hour before the team was due 
for practice on the field, Ward Hill spoke quietly to 
Hogg, as the latter was departing from the class- 
room, and said: “ Wait a little while, Hogg; I want 
to see you.’^ 

The stalwart captain obediently remained, and 


Il8 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

when all the other boys had gone, Ward said: Sit 
down, Hogg; I have something to say to you.” 

Seating himself on a bench directly in front of 
the teacher’s desk, Hogg glanced impatiently at 
Ward, as he said: “ You know, Mr. Hill, it’s almost 
time for me to be down on the field.” 

“ I shall not detain you long. Do you know that 
your work in Virgil is very poor ? ” 

It might be better,” assented Hogg gruffly. 

“ It not only might be, but it must be.” Ward 
spoke in a low voice, which he tried to control, al- 
though he was aware that he was excited, now that 
the crucial moment had come. 

'' I’ll fix it up all right just as soon as this game 
with the Burrs is over,” said Hogg lightly. 

'' I’m afraid that will be too late.” 

''Too late? What do you mean?” Hogg was 
sitting erect now and glaring angrily into Ward’s 
face. 

" Just what I say.” 

" You don’t mean — you won’t — you ” stam- 

mered Hogg. 

" Let me show you your record of daily work,” 
said Ward, spreading his record-book before him 
and bidding Hogg come to his side. " Here is your 
record by weeks,” he explained. " Your work has 
been steadily falling, and the last ten days it has 
been so low that it may ” 

" May what ? ” demanded Hogg abruptly. 

" Drop you to the class below.” 


Seating himself . . . directly in front of the teacher’s desk, 
Hogg glanced impatiently at Ward.” 


Page 118. 



i 


A CRISIS 


1 19 


“ ril make it all up in the December exam.” 

That examination counts one-third in deter- 
mining your average for the term. You would have 
to secure ” 

“ But it’s football time, Mr. Hill,” interrupted 
Hogg. 

“ And time for Virgil too,” said Ward quietly. 

We have a teachers’ meeting this evening, and you 
know what the rule of Weston is. If a boy falls 
below a grade of fifty in the first half of a term, he 
must either be dropped ” 

“ But if I’m dropped it cuts me off from the game 
with the Burrs.” 

Yes.” 

“ You — you wouldn’t do that ! ” 

“ I wouldn’t do it. No. I am not the one, how- 
ever. I keep a record of your work. You are the 
one to determine where you’ll be, not I.” 

But it’s football season,” persisted Hogg. 

“ Yes.” 

“ No member of the team is — is ” 

“ Better say ‘ has,’ ” suggested Ward. 

Do you really mean to tell me that — that — 
you’ll drop me?” 

“ I have tried to explain that I am not the one to 
decide.” 

“ Who does then ? The doctor ? ” 

You are the only one who can do that, Hogg.” 

And you threaten me ? ” 

No. On the contrary, I am willing to help you. 


120 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


You can come to my room every night and I’ll help 
you to make up.” 

'' But — but — it’s the football season. I can’t study 
nights. When I come in I’m all used up. I — I — 
didn’t — I don’t ” 

“ This is not the first time I have told you about it, 
Hogg,” said Ward gently. 

Oh, I can’t do it now. I’ll get it up by exami- 
nation time. You go and talk to the doctor about it. 
He never fired a fellow yet that was on the team. 
I’ll have to go now. You see him.” Bold, reas- 
sured, confident, the stalwart young athlete turned 
and departed from the room, leaving Ward per- 
plexed as well as angry at the outcome of the 
interview. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE teachers' MEETING 

S OMEWHAT troubled by the confidence of 
Hogg in his demand that the matter of his de- 
ficiencies should be referred to Doctor Gray, the 
young teacher nevertheless returned to his room and 
prepared for his daily task with the eleven. That 
the head of the school might not sustain him in the 
stand he had taken was to Ward Hill almost un- 
thinkable. Doctor Gray was a lifelong friend of 
Ward’s father, and it had been chiefly due to that 
fact that Mr. Hill originally had sent his boy to 
Weston. 

As Ward recalled his impressions of the head of 
the school, chief among them was the genial per- 
sonality of the man. His very presence commanded 
the devotion of his pupils. The dark eyes still keen 
and friendly, the long gray beard, the genial laugh 
of the man, his never-failing words of approval, and 
his kindly manner, even when by virtue of his office 
he was compelled to act in apparent harshness, all 
were recalled by Ward in his walk to the football 
field. It was no cause for surprise that Doctor 
Gray was beloved by his boys, and the mere mention 
of his name among the graduates of Weston was 

I2I 


122 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


certain to evoke instantaneous and enthusiastic ap- 
plause. 

In spite of these undeniable facts Ward still was 
troubled. As he recalled the bearing of the prin- 
cipal, whom he loved almost with the devotion of the 
youngest boys in the school, he nevertheless was 
troubled slightly by the questions that continually 
recurred to his troubled mind. Might it be possible 
that Doctor Gray would not take a decided stand? 
Was there a possibility that the genial manner was 
in part, at least, professional, and not genuine or 
sincere? Was the principal one who chose the line 
of least resistance? Was his love of popularity so 
strong that it might lead him to evade a real issue? 
Was the fear of trouble — that vague and yet definite 
term descriptive of difficulties in school administra- 
tion — stronger than his fear of wrong? Could it 
be possible if an issue should be raised that the 
doctor would fail to sustain his teachers? Had the 
real moral force in the life of the Weston school 
been Mr. Crane, and not Doctor Gray? 

Vaguely and yet seriously troubled by the queries 
that had come unbidden. Ward resolutely endeavored 
to banish them from his thoughts and give himself 
wholly to the task at hand. And in a measure he 
succeeded. The hour of practice had been unusually 
satisfactory when the sturdy eleven sought their 
dressing-rooms and the enthusiasm was correspond- 
ingly great. Even Hogg and his satellite, Mayo, 
apparently did not manifest any other feeling than 


THE teachers' MEETING 


123 


that of good-will for Ward, though whether this 
was due to indifference or confidence he was unable 
to determine. At all events he himself was content 
to await the issue of events, and meanwhile was 
glad that Hogg’s attitude had not been such as to 
affect that of the other boys. 

Several times before the hour set for the teachers’ 
meeting that evening Ward almost decided to go to 
Doctor Gray and state the conditions frankly. But 
at last he concluded that his original purpose to 
bring the matter up in its regular order at the meet- 
ing, when reports were made by the individual 
teachers concerning their classes and personal re- 
ports, was better. 

At the opening of the meeting Doctor Gray, who 
presided, was manifestly in good spirits. The enrol- 
ment had been large, the enthusiasm of the students 
was marked, and the interest of the boys in the suc- 
cess of the football team was shared in other lines 
as well. Of the five games already played Weston 
had not lost one, and Malarkey had not been used 
in one of them, although the young giant was on 
hand daily for the drill and practice on the field. 

I do not recall a year among the twenty-seven 
in which I have been at the head of this school when 
there was less friction in the administration than in 
the present,” Doctor Gray said as he opened the 
meeting. “ This is most desirable, and is a matter 
for sincere congratulation among the teachers. No 
reports of any unusual matters of discipline mean 


124 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


really good reports. I am greatly pleased, and the 
work of the two new teachers is most encouraging ; ” 
and then Doctor Gray paused and glanced at Ward 
and Mr. Hay, who was the other man to whom the 
principal referred. It is to be hoped that such 
pleasant relations as now exist between the students 
and teachers may continue unbroken. There is 
nothing so conducive to the best interests of the 
school as cordial feelings on the part of the boys for 
their teachers. This feeling, as you all know, has 
been stimulated by the evident interest of one or 
two of our new men in the athletic sports of our 
boys.’^ Again the principal glanced approvingly 
at Ward, and then called for reports from the 
teachers who were in charge of the dormitories. 

In turn the men to whom this oversight was a 
special part of their labors reported a uniformly 
satisfactory state of affairs. There had been very 
few infringements of the rules, and the orderliness 
of the boys in their rooms and halls was warmly 
commented upon by Doctor Gray. His gratification 
increased as the meeting proceeded. 

“ The discipline of the school is excellent,” he 
commented, “ and I repeat what I said a moment 
ago that this is due chiefly to the cordial relations of 
the teachers with the boys. I am especially pleased 
by these reports. Now we will listen to the weekly 
reports from the classrooms,” he continued. “ I 
will request each teacher in turn to state the amount 
of work done by each class and also its quality. 


THE teachers' MEETING 


125 

Mr. Hay, as the teacher of English, please tell us of 
your work." 

Mr. Hay, who was a man in middle life, com- 
mented favorably upon the spirit of his classes, de- 
scribed in detail the amount of work done, and then 
compared the results with those which he had ob- 
tained in other schools, and in the comparison Wes- 
ton did not suffer. 

“ Very good ! very good, indeed," remarked Doc- 
tor Gray when Mr. Hay took his seat. “ Let me 
inquire if there are any special cases that require 
consideration ? " 

“ Not one, doctor," replied Mr. Hay. 

The genial face of the principal was glowing as 
he said, “ I have known times when these weekly 
meetings of the teachers were most troublesome, and 
the troubles were more often the results of the mis- 
takes of the teachers than of the boys. I am glad 
that this present year gives promise of better 
things." 

When Ward's turn to make his report came, he 
too spoke of the quiet that prevailed in his halls, and 
of the absence of any real difficulties. Of his classes 
too, he reported good results, and spoke encourag- 
ingly of the interest and willingness of every class 
to do good work. 

“ This is most excellent," remarked Doctor Gray. 

I have visited Mr. Hill's classes, and personally 
have listened to his recitations. The quality of the 
work and the interest of the boys are both inspiring. 


126 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


It is a source of deep satisfaction that one of our own 
graduates, who understands so clearly the spirit of 
Weston, is a member of our corps of teachers and 
is so markedly fulfilling our expectations of him/’ 

The words of praise were sweet to the young 
teacher, and the manifest approval of those who 
were present was not less so. There was never- 
theless a feeling in Ward’s heart that the principal 
was a little too generous in his commendations, and 
he was aware also that the same praise had been 
given every report. Indeed, what troubled Ward 
was the implied commendation, not so much of what 
was being done as of the absence of friction in the 
work. This, he readily understood, was especially 
uppermost in the mind of the principal, and some- 
how there arose a feeling of disappointment in 
Ward’s heart. It was not that he was desirous of 
facing that somewhat vague ‘‘ trouble,” of which 
the doctor made so much. It was rather the per- 
plexing and disquieting suspicion which had been in- 
creasing in Ward’s mind of late that Doctor Gray 
really preferred to avoid meeting issues that might 
be vital. Compromise was not in the young teacher’s 
vocabulary, and in his inexperience he firmly be- 
lieved there was no middle ground to be taken be- 
tween what was right and what was wrong. 

Doctor Gray had replaced his glasses on his nose 
and was looking down upon the paper on the desk 
before him, evidently unaware that Ward, as yet, 
had not resumed his seat. 


THE TEACHERS^ MEETING 


127 


“We will bring this unusually pleasant meeting 
to a close/’ began Doctor Gray, without glancing up 

“ by listening to any suggestions I beg your 

pardon, Mr. Hill,” he added quickly, as for the first 
time he became aware that Ward was still standing. 
“ Is there something more you wish to report? ” 

“ You did not ask me, doctor, if I had any indi- 
vidual cases to bring before the meeting.” 

“ Pardon me, Mr. Hill. It was an oversight on 
my part. We shall be pleased to listen to you.” 
The principal leaned back in his chair and his face 
was still beaming with satisfaction. 

“ I have two matters concerning which I would 
like the advice or rather the opinion of the teachers 
of Weston.” Ward was aware that his face was col- 
orless, and his voice was trembling slightly in spite 
of his efforts to control it. 

“ Please state them,” said the principal graciously. 

“ The first concerns one of the boys in my class in 
Virgil.” 

“ Who is he?” 

“ Hogg.” Ward could feel that the reference to 
the senior had instantly aroused the interest of his 
fellow-teachers, and every face was turned to him. 

“ Yes? ” inquired the principal graciously. 

“ I would like to inquire how he is doing in his 
other classes.” 

“ Will those who have him in their classes kindly 
reply to Mr. Hill’s question?” said the doctor, 
glancing at the assembly. 


128 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


He is not doing anything at all in my classes,” 
said Mr. Hay quickly. “ He has not made a recita- 
tion in ten days I am sure.” 

He is almost as bad as that in my work,” said 
Mr. Newcombe, the teacher of mathematics. 

‘‘ I have him in French and German,” said Mr. 
Frye, “ and I might almost state that he is not 
certain whether it is one or the other in which he is 
trying to recite.” 

“ This is quite unexpected,” said the doctor. “ Not 
one of you made any reference to Hogg’s defi- 
ciencies when you made your weekly report.” 

“ That’s true, doctor,” replied Mr. Newcombe. 

“ I thought you knew ” 

“ Mr. Hill,” said Doctor Gray, turning quickly 
to Ward, “ have you any details — any suggestions to 
offer?” 

“ I do not know that I have. Hogg has been 
steadily slipping, and yet every time I spoke to him 
he was free with his promises to do better. Instead 
of doing better he has done worse.” 

“Will you kindly send him to me?” said the 
principal as he arose. 

“ Doctor Gray,” said Ward quickly, “ is the rule 
that if a boy, after repeated warnings, by the middle 
of the term fails to obtain a mark that even with a 
perfect examination paper will not pass him, must 
be dropped to the class below, still in force ? ” 

“ I believe we have such a rule,” replied the doctor 
with a frown. 


THE teachers' MEETING 


129 


That is the way I understood it/' continued 
Ward. “ To-day I told Hogg after class that his 
mark was away below what was required, and that 
I must drop him from the Virgil." 

“ You were hasty, Mr. Hill." 

“ I did not intend to be," said Ward quietly. 

** Doubtless ! Doubtless ! " said the principal, 
though the fact that he was greatly annoyed was 
plainly evident. “ We will not expect too much of 
you in these matters." 

Ward's face flushed as he said, “ But, Doctor 
Gray, my report on Hogg is not so bad as those of 
some of the other teachers." 

“ We must not expect too much of Hogg. I am 
aware that he is not a brilliant student, and we must 
keep in mind his absorbing work in football." 

“ Is he not to be dropped from Virgil ? " 

“ Send him to me. Send him to me." 

Ward, in confusion, looked about him, and the 
smile on the face of Mr. Newcombe was full of 
meaning. Doctor Gray was moving from the plat- 
form, plainly indicating that the meeting was 
ended. 

“ There is one other matter, doctor," spoke up 
Ward. 

“Yes? What is that?" inquired the principal, 
stopping and frowning. 

“ It concerns Malarkey, who is expecting to play 
in the game with the Burrs." 


I 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE TEST 

D octor gray did not resume his seat, and 
as he stood facing the young teacher Ward 
could feel the tensity of the moment, although he 
did not glance at his fellow-workers. For a moment 
an expression of annoyance and almost of chagrin 
appeared on the principal’s face, and as Ward saw it, 
it almost seemed to him that his respect for the man 
was gone forever. Could this be the Doctor Gray 
whom, as a boy, he had revered? The plain desire 
to evade everything disagreeable in the life of the 
school, the implied measure of the success of a 
teacher being determined by his popularity alone, the 
wish to evade an issue even if it was based upon 
right, were all in evidence now, and the revulsion of 
feeling in Ward’s heart was not only embarrassing 
but even painful. 

His former conception of the principal was mani- 
festly wrong. The man was a “ trimmer,” and the 
universally friendly feeling which the boys of the 
Weston school cherished for him was based upon 
something different from respect. Indignation was 
an element in the new conception of Doctor Gray 
which had arisen in Ward’s mind, and as he faced 
130 


THE TEST 


I3I 

the principal something of this feeling was revealed 
in his attitude and bearing. 

“ Malarkey ? Malarkey ? ’’ said Doctor Gray slow- 
ly. “ I do not recall any name like that among our 
boys this fall.'' 

“ That's the point, doctor," said Ward quickly. 

“ I do not see the point." 

“ He is not a student in the Weston school." 

‘‘ Then we do not have any control over him. I 
do not think the subject is a proper one for discus- 
sion at this meeting." 

“ Pardon me. Doctor Gray," said Ward in a low 
voice. Of course you do not understand what I 
mean; but when I explain my point to you, I am 
sure you will agree with me." 

“ What is the point, Mr. Hill?" inquired Doctor 
Gray, somewhat impatiently glancing at the door as 
he spoke, as if he was eager to be gone. 

“ My point is that Malarkey i& not a student here, 
and yet it is expected that he will play in the game 
with the Burrs." 

“ You may be mistaken, Mr. Hill." 

Ward did not reply, but remained standing, still 
facing the principal. 

“ You may be misinformed," said the doctor 
suavely. 

“ I am not. Doctor Gray." 

“ Why do you think this — this — Larkins ; did 
you say that is his name ? " 

“ Malarkey," explained Ward. 


132 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ What makes you think he expects to play ? ” 

“ He has told me so himself, for one reason. I 
have been coaching the boys almost every day, and 
Malarkey comes out regularly for the practice. 
Then I have also the best of reasons for believing 
that some of the boys have agreed to pay Malarkey. 
I do not think it is necessary for me to mention any 
names, but 

“ I am afraid you are unduly suspicious,” broke in 
Doctor Gray. 

A smile appeared on the face of Mr. Newcombe, 
which Ward saw as he glanced about him, but 
whether it was of approval or amusement he was 
unable to determine. 

“ Doctor Gray,” said Ward earnestly, I should 
not mention this matter if I only suspected.” 

“ I do not see that we can do anything. Malarkey 
is not subject to our discipline. He is not a student 
here.” 

“ And for that very reason ought not to be per- 
mitted to represent any Weston team.” 

“ He has not.” 

“ But he expects to.” 

I must express my doubts. It will be time for us 
to face such a condition when we are compelled to 
do so. It is scarcely to be expected of us that we 
should deal summarily with any one whom the boys 
may have prevailed upon to come to their practice 
games and assist them by his skill.” 

Indignant as Ward was, he still managed to con- 


THE TEST 


133 


trol his rising feeling of anger and disgust. It 
seemed to him that the principal was trying to evade 
the issue, and in reality was upholding the captain 
of the football eleven in his plan to use the giant. 

“ Malarkey will not be permitted to go into the 
game with the Burrs, will he, Doctor Gray ? said 
Ward earnestly. 

“ Not with my knowledge or consent.” 

‘‘ That is all I want to know, doctor,” said Ward 
quietly as he turned to pick up his papers. 

“ This fellow Malarkey intends to register just 
before the game,” said Mr. Newcombe. “ It is com- 
mon talk among the boys.” 

“ Then he will be an enrolled student when the 
game is played,” replied Doctor Gray. 

“ He told me he thought he would ‘ take a little 
writinV and perhaps some other study like ‘ spellin’.’ 
If he does that, it will be so plain that he is a 
fraud that he ought not to be permitted to come at 
all. And he will not remain a day after the game ! ” 
said Ward warmly. 

“ How do you know that, Mr. Hill ? ” demanded 
the principal. Did he tell you that also ? ” 

“No, sir. He didn’t state it in so many words, 
but when I asked him how long he expected to re- 
main he just laughed and would not say.” 

“ Probably he did not know exactly. Many of 
our boys enter without knowing exactly how long 
they will be here. If we refuse to receive any except 
those who are aware at the time of their enrolment 


134 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


just the date on which they expect to withdraw from 
the school, I am afraid our numbers would be very 
limited, very restricted indeed.” 

“Am I to understand that we are expected to 
uphold Hogg in his plan to work in a ^ ringer ' ? 
Are we to shut our eyes to such a — a piece of work 
as this ? ” demanded Ward, hastily repressing the 
words that almost escaped him. 

“ Not at all, Mr. Hill; not at all,” said the princi- 
pal suavely. “ Boys will be boys, that’s all. I do 
not conceive that even you, Mr. Hill, would wish our 
boys to go into the game when they are morally 
certain their opponents have crooked players on 
their team, with a conviction that they are already 
defeated because they are not on a parity with their 
rivals.” 

“ I have heard the boys use that argument,” as- 
sented Ward quietly. 

“ The fact of the matter is, Mr. Hill, Malarkey 
was offered — certain inducements to play with the 
Burrs.” 

“ Yes, I know that. Fm afraid it’s true too.” 

“ I should not like to be quoted as even implying 
such a charge,” said Doctor Gray ; “ but I fear it is 
true.” 

“ There is no question.” 

“ Then, I do not see, Mr. Hill ” 

“ Doctor,” broke in Ward, “ do you know why 
Malarkey decided to come to Weston to play rather 
than go to the Burrs ? ” 


THE TEST 


135 


“ I have no knowledge as to that/’ replied the 
principal hastily. “ I fancy, Mr. Hill, that you have 
no charge to make in that connection, such as your 
words might seem to imply.” 

“ I can infer.” 

“ But have you any facts ? Have you any 

proofs ? ” 

Malarkey himself.” 

“ Does he make any such claim ? ” 

“ He does not deny.” 

“Have you asked him, Mr. Hill? If you have, 
I fear you have been a trifle hasty.” The principal’s 
voice was still quiet, but his annoyance was none 
the less manifest. 

“ Yes, Doctor Gray. I did ask him that very 
question.” 

“ And did Malarkey affirm that the Weston school 
had made larger overtures to him than ” 

“ He did not say so — in words.” 

“ Then on what do you base any such assump- 
tion?” 

“ He is here, isn’t he. Doctor Gray ? ” 

“ That may not lead to any such inference as 
yours.” 

“ Why do you think he chose Weston instead of — 
of the other school?” 

“ I do not know ; though I can, I think, readily 
comprehend the preference. His is not the first 
instance of that character.” 

“If it was the school — ^the work — I too would 


136 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

understand it. But Malarkey is not even registered. 
He has not been in one class. If he does come it 
will be for only a few days, and just sufficient to 
enable him to answer any question that might be 
raised concerning his being a bona fide Weston 
student at the game.’’ 

“ You assume too much.” 

“ Perhaps I do. I should be more glad than I 
can tell you, Doctor Gray, if I could know that I 
am mistaken.” 

“ It is not well to cross too many bridges before 
you come to them.” 

The principal was smiling once more, and as he 
took his hat and prepared to depart from the room 
Ward understood that the meeting was dismissed, 
and there was to be no further discussion at the 
time. He was quiet in his manner, but at least he 
was disgusted. All his ideals seemed to have been 
shattered in a moment. His respect for Doctor 
Gray, the weakness and the evident desire to com- 
promise, the failure to stand for what the young 
teacher believed to be right, aroused almost a feel- 
ing of disgust. He was so moved and indignant that 
his own personal problem and his future relation 
to the boys were to an extent forgotten. 

“ No use. Hill,” said Mr. Newcombe in a low 
voice, as he stopped beside Ward. “ You are throw- 
ing yourself against a stone wall. The sentiment 
of the school is too strong, and if you try to change 
it you’ll only hurt yourself and not do any good.” 


THE TEST 


137 


“What do you advise?” inquired Ward. 

“ Take things as you find them and do the best 
you can.” 

“ Is that your sober, honest judgment? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Why?” 

“Why? Because ” Mr. Newcombe hesitated 

and glanced about the room. “ You have eyes and 
you can see,” he added quietly. 

“ See what?” 

“ See exactly what the conditions are.” 

“ If I don’t stop, what will be done? ” 

“ Nothing — by you, at least very long.” 

“ You mean I’ll lose my place if I insist that 
Hogg must do his work? If I oppose Malarkey’s 
playing on the eleven ? ” 

“ You can draw your own conclusions,” remarked 
Mr. Newcombe with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“ It wasn’t this way a few years ago when I was 
in school here,” said Ward somewhat bitterly. 

“ Times have changed.” 

“ I’m afraid some have changed with them.” 

“ Not so much as you think. The change is in 
you more than in the principles of the principal. 
The truth is. Doctor Gray is a most lovable man, but 
he is too good to be true. He courts popularity, and 
will sacrifice any teacher rather than stand for an 
unpopular man or measure. He will come out and 
stand boldly and with great positiveness for some- 
thing against which there really is no opposition. 


138 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

I like him. I love him for many things, but his 
great weakness is that he’d rather be principal than 
right. The conscience and backbone of the Weston 
school was Mr. Crane.” 

“ It doesn’t seem possible,” said Ward thought- 
fully. 

“ It is not only possible ; it’s true. Others of us 
know it and govern ourselves accordingly. We do 
what we can, and what we can’t we don’t touch.” 

“ Ah ! Still here, I see,” said Doctor Gray genially 
as he re-entered the room. “ I shall be pleased, Mr. 
Hill, if you will come with me. I have a few words 
I wish to say to you.” 





CHAPTER XV 


TEACHING THE TEACHER 

W ITHOUT a word Ward accompanied Doc- 
tor Gray as the latter departed from the 
building and started toward his home. The young 
teacher was depressed and indignant, and his feel- 
ings betrayed themselves in his manner. He as- 
sured himself that he had been influenced only by 
his desire to do what was best for the school he 
loved and to be true to his own sense of what was 
justly demanded, both for himself as a teacher and 
for the boys who were under his care. 

For a time the two men walked up the winding 
pathway and not a word was spoken, Ward waiting 
for the principal, who had asked him to accompany 
him, to explain the purpose of his request, and Doc- 
tor Gray manifestly busied with his own thoughts. 

“ I wanted to speak to you when we were not 
with the other teachers,” Doctor Gray at last said in 
a low voice. 

“ I understand,” said Ward quietly. 

“ Your success, my boy, is a matter of deep con- 
cern with me. I know how anxiously your father is 
watching your first year at Weston.” 

Ward’s face was almost colorless, and he was 

139 


140 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


glad that the darkness prevented his companion 
from seeing what the effect of his words had been. 
One of the strongest desires in his heart was to 
please his father, whom he had keenly disappointed 
by the most of his career as a student at Weston. 
Afterward, in college, his record as a student and 
man had, in a measure, atoned for his earlier fail- 
ure, and the pride of his father in his son’s career 
in Tegrus had not been the least of the motives that 
had appealed to Ward. The deep satisfaction too, 
in the elder man’s pride in the appointment of his 
son to be Mr. Crane’s successor at Weston had been 
a reward of itself to Ward, when his selection had 
been published ; and, although he was ambitious and 
earnest on his own account, the thought of his 
father’s pride and rejoicing had added much to his 
own pleasure. And now, when Doctor Gray spoke 
as he did, he had made Ward flinch as if he had 
touched a spot that was sore. Did the principal un- 
derstand? Had he spoken with the purpose of 
hurting, or was it merely an unconscious refer- 
ence he had made? Ward could not determine 
which was the motive, but his suffering was keener 
than Doctor Gray could understand. He did not 
reply to the principal’s words, and walked on, 
waiting for the man to explain himself more freely. 

Apparently Doctor Gray did not find it easy to 
speak, and for a time he too was silent. Then in 
his most genial and fatherly manner he said, “ Do 
I need to say more. Hill ? ” 


TEACHING THE TEACHER I4I 

Yes, sir; I think you do,” replied Ward quickly. 

“ Then I repeat what I have just said. Your 
success means more than you appreciate, I fancy, 
for it concerns others than yourself.” 

“Why do you say that, Doctor Gray? Am I 
likely to ” Ward did not complete the sentence. 

“ Your work in many ways has been extremely 
satisfactory. Your ability as a teacher is unques- 
tioned. You have — or at least you have had — the 
affection and confidence of the boys. If you fail, it 
will not be due to any inability on your part to 
teach.” 

“To what, then? ” 

“ I had hoped you would see that without its be- 
coming necessary for me to explaim” Doctor Gray’s 
words were extremely irritating to Ward, who al- 
ready was nearly at the limit of his self-control. 
The man’s desire to say only pleasant things was 
still apparent, and disgust was mingled with Ward’s 
feeling of anger. 

“ I am not sure, doctor, that I understand,” said 
Ward slowly. “ I shall be glad if you will explain.” 

“ The success of a Weston teacher is due as much 
to his influence with the boys as to his careful 
drilling in the classroom.” 

“ I know that,” acknowledged Ward. “ When 
I look back I can see why it was that Mr. Crane 
was such a power. He was a teacher, but he was 
more than that — a man. He is one of the truest, 
and every boy felt it,” 


142 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Mr. Crane was an excellent teacher,” said the 
old principal quickly- and with a shade of annoy- 
ance in the tone of his voice. 

“ He certainly was. I don’t know that every fel- 
low liked him, but I am sure every one respected 
him.” 

“ Yes, yes. He was a most estimable man. But 
Mr. Crane is gone, and you and I are more con- 
cerned with his successor than his success.” 

“Just what do you mean. Doctor Gray?” 

“ You are young. Hill. It was a risk when we 
took you, but it was also a risk I was willing to run. 
I believed in you. I had no question as to your 
ability, and I felt almost equally sure you would be 
tactful.” 

“ Then it is my lack of tact in which I am ” 

“ It is not too late. Hill. I understand something 
of your impulsiveness, and your motives are doubt- 
less worthy. I am not referring to this except to 
try to point out wherein you may improve. I am 
sure you will too, now that I have called your at- 
tention — to — to what I would have you do.” The 
man’s voice was gentle, and Ward was aware that 
he was resuming his customary pleasing ways. 

“ I still do not understand.” 

“ Then I will explain,” said Doctor Gray, almost 
curtly. “ Your reference to Hogg to-night was not 
exactly — tactful.” 

“ You mean I ought not to have brought up his 
case in the teachers’ meeting ? ” 


TEACHING THE TEACHER 


143 


Not at all. Not at all. That was the time and 
place for it. What I feel annoyed about is that 
you should have referred to him as you did.” 

“ How did I refer to him, doctor ? ” 

“ You said you had threatened him.” 

“No. I did not threaten him. I warned him. I 
simply told him just what he was doing — or rather 
not doing — in my class.” 

“ That is true — quite true. But, my dear fellow, 
before you took such public action as you did to- 
night you should have reported his case to me.” 

“ I thought that what I did was in accordance 
with a standing rule of the school.” 

“ So it is. So it is. Our standard is high at 
Weston, very high ; and I am naturally pleased that 
you wish to keep it so. But in the case of a boy like 
Hogg, who is so prominent in athletics, and who is 
a good deal of a leader among the boys, the better 
way would have been to refer him to me. We are 
not like a college. Hill. Our pupils are younger, 
and the personal relation with the teacher is more 
direct.” 

“ Is the rule only for the less prominent boys, 
doctor ? ” 

“ By no means. That is hardly fair, Mr. Hill.” 

“ I do not think I quite understand even yet.” 

“ Individual cases require special treatment, that 
is all. There is no reason for the existence of a 
school like ours unless we can deal differently — 
unless we can supplement the work of the public 


144 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

schools. With them the class idea is supreme. Aver- 
ages and the average boy is the one always in mind. 
They turn out or promote their classes when every 
member has acquired a certain degree of proficiency. 
Their pupils are like the candles run in molds. 
Every one is of the same length, breadth, and thick- 
ness. One can scarcely be distinguished from an- 
other. With us it is entirely different. We too 
must have our classes, but with us it is the individual 
and not the class which is supreme.” 

“ And the individual is to be treated as an excep- 
tion to any rule that may be established ? ” 

“ Exactly.” 

“ Then why do we have any rules at all ? ” 

“ We must have rules,” said Doctor Gray quietly. 

You understand that as well as I.” 

“ But the rule is not meant to be obeyed by indi- 
viduals ? ” 

“The rule is broad enough or sufficiently elastic 
to be conformed to the individual. The rule is for 
the boy, not the boy for the rule. Young teachers, 
when they first begin, are likely to look upon the 
rules as if they were of cast iron. When they are 
older and have had more experience they under- 
stand that the boy is supreme, not the rule.” 

Ward was silent for a moment. The principal’s 
words were plausible, and if they had been spoken 
by the Doctor Gray in whom Ward at one time had 
been an enthusiastic believer would have been suffi- 
cient. As it was, they served chiefly to increase his 


TEACHING THE TEACHER 


145 


feeling of distrust, believing as he did that Doctor 
Gray’s supreme purpose was not the good of Hogg 
or of the boys in the school, but the avoidance of 
everything that was likely to cause unpleasantness. 
The love of popularity and the ’dislike of friction, the 
choice of the easy way rather than the way that was 
right, were all apparent. 

“ Doctor Gray, will you tell me just what you 
think a teacher in Weston must do to be successful ? ” 
“Just what you are doing. Hill; only a little 
more,” replied the principal quickly. 

“ You are doing good work with your classes. 
You have shared in the sports of the boys. You 
have sympathy with and an understanding of young 
life in many ways. Perhaps it is only your inexperi- 
ence and youthful enthusiasm that have made you a 
trifle hasty. I do not doubt you were sincere in your 
treatment of Hogg. But now that you understand I 
am sure the mistake will not occur again.” 

“ Then my mistake was in speaking to Hogg as I 
did — in telling him that his work was too poor to 
permit him to keep on with the class ? ” 

“ Your mistake was in taking too much upon 
yourself,” replied Doctor Gray, his feeling of an- 
noyance reappearing in the tone of his voice. 

“ If Hogg had not been the captain of the foot- 
ball team, if he had not been so prominent, it would 
not have been a mistake ? ” 

“ Not at all. Not at all. That is not quite fair, 
Hill. The boy is more sacred than the rules.” 

K 


146 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

What are the rules for ? ’’ 

“ For the good of the boys.’’ 

“ But only for the boys who are not likely to make 
trouble ? ” inquired Ward, his anger for the mo- 
ment overpowering all other feelings. 

“ The rules are not like the laws of the Medes 
and Persians,” said the principal, somewhat sternly. 
“ Of course we must have them and they are to be 
obeyed, but the good of the school — of the boys — 
is nevertheless supreme. That is just what I mean.” 

^‘What am I to say to Hogg?” 

“ Tell him to come to see me.” 

“ When is he to come ? ” 

Whenever you choose. To-morrow at half-past 
one if you wish.” 

“ Very well. I will send him,” said Ward quietly. 

“ There is another matter,” suggested Doctor 
Gray. '' You ought not to have referred to — to 
Malarkey, I think you called him, in such an open 
manner as you did to-night. It was not called for 
and is likely to make trouble.” 

Trouble,” thought Ward indignantly. Appar- 
ently the black beast of Doctor Gray was “ trouble.” 
It was his one unchangeable word, and was by no 
means vague in his mind at least. 

“ Then Malarkey is to be permitted to play, is 
he?” 

“ Technically, if he enters the school before the 
game with the Burrs I do not see that any objection 
can be made. It is not, of course, desirable that — 


TEACHING THE TEACHER 


147 


that he should ; but the boys are eager, and the fact 
that other schools were desirous of obtaining ” 

“ Doctor, does it make any difference that our 
boys hired him ? ” 

“ You have no means of knowing that,” said the 
principal hastily. 

“Not even if Malarkey acknowledges it?” 

“ Has he done that ? ” 

“ He has implied it.” 

“ I hardly think inference in a case like this is 
sufficient.” 

“ Doctor Gray, if I bring him to your office and 
he confesses that he is to be paid, will that make 
any difference?” demanded Ward. 

“ It would not be quite proper to follow such a 
course,” said the principal somewhat sharply. “ We 
are not spies. We must assume a man’s innocence. 
To adopt such a measure would be certain to stir 
up trouble, especially in such a time as this when the 
thoughts of all the boys, whether or not they are 
players, are more or less centered upon the annual 
game with the Burrs. You have a zeal which is 
commendable, but it is not according to knowledge. 
I am grateful to you. Hill, for coming with me,” the 
principal added as he halted in front of his house. 
“ ‘ A word to the wise is sufficient,’ we are told, and 
you are wise beyond your years, so I hope my word 
will not be void. We are all watching your course 
in Weston with interest and exceedingly desirous 
for you to succeed. Good night, Mr. Hill.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE QUESTION 

W HEN Ward Hill returned to his rooms, it 
was only after an hour had passed that he 
was able to give himself to the work which must be 
done. There were papers to be corrected and 
preparation made for the classroom of the follow- 
ing day ; but books and papers alike were neglected. 
The young teacher sat staring moodily at the fire 
on the hearth, and the feeling of bitterness in his 
heart seemed somehow to be almost overpowering. 

Chief among the causes of his restlessness was 
the sudden and unexpected revelation of the atti- 
tude of Doctor Gray. As he recalled his relations 
with the man, it seemed now to Ward that every- 
thing the principal had done had been controlled by 
a purpose as maddening as it was unworthy. The 
genial personality, the kindly ways, the help he had 
been ready to give on many occasions, even his pop- 
ularity among the students — and that Doctor Gray 
was exceedingly popular Ward was compelled in 
honesty to acknowledge to himself in spite of his 
feeling of disgust — all these now appeared to have 
been the results of design. To be on friendly terms 
rather than right, to select the line of least resistance 
148 


THE QUESTION 


149 


simply because it was likely to cause least of that 
terrible “ trouble ” which was the bugaboo of the 
principal, to escape a definite issue raised by a ques- 
tion of right and wrong, even to cater to the ques- 
tionable methods pursued by such students as Hogg, 
and to permit a boy who was neglecting his work to 
escape the penalty which had been established was 
to belittle the standard of Weston and to cheapen the 
teachers in the estimation of all. 

It was this last thought which rankled most keenly 
in Ward’s mind. The implied result of all he had 
said and done thus far in his efforts to keep the 
standard of scholarship high, and the athletic zeal 
within reasonable, not to say honest, limits, was 
now to threaten his own success. “ Success ” and 
trouble ” ! Ward in his self-conscious and even 
selfish indignation felt that he was being sacrificed 
not for a principle but for the lack of one. He was 
too angry even to be largely concerned with the 
suggestion of his possible lack of “ success,” to use 
Doctor Gray’s expression, for the principal, true to 
his nature, had avoided even the use of disagree- 
able terms. His reference had not been to “ fail- 
ure,” but to the possibility of losing “ success.” 
Ward found himself wondering if Doctor Gray 
expected to pass through life without meeting any- 
thing disagreeable. Certainly his aim seemed to 
be to avoid such contact. Even the genial person- 
ality and the genuinely attractive ways of the 
principal now seemed to be false. Doctor Gray did 


150 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

not ring true. And yet when Ward thought of the 
many years in which the doctor had been the honored 
head of the Weston School, of the devotion and 
loyalty of the graduates to the man — a feeling which 
Ward himself had shared fully until that evening — 
and then the enthusiastic loyalty of the present 
student body to the principal, he felt almost hope- 
less. What could he do in the presence of such con- 
ditions? He was without experience, and his posi- 
tion merely provided a testing-place for his abilities. 
To fail now was to distort or destroy all his career. 
One word from Doctor Gray would count for more 
than all the young teacher could do. Ward felt 
himself to be almost helpless. He was like a man 
bidden to run a race with hands and feet tied. The 
youngest teacher at Weston — and, as he recalled the 
words of Mr. Newcombe, he was also aware of the 
attitude of his fellows — he was powerless. If only a 
part of the teaching force would stand with him the 
problem would not be hopeless. But to face condi- 
tions alone, to incur the enmity of the leading spirits 
among the boys, and at the same time to be refused 
aid or even support by the teachers and still more by 
the head of the school — the prospect certainly was 
not alluring. 

But he was right, he knew he was right. Ward 
declared firmly to himself. His words to Hogg were 
warranted by the printed rules of the school. As 
for Malarkey, the fact that other schools made use 
of questionable players did not improve conditions 


THE QUESTION 


I5I 

at Weston. It was a living lie to permit him to 
play ! It was placing a premium on dishonesty. It 
was teaching the boys that no method was to be 
questioned provided only that it promised success. 
Success — yes, that was the one word in the vocabu- 
lary which was ever before the school. Success at 
any price, won at any cost. Nothing was dishonest 
if it only avoided trouble and success might be won. 
Bah ! The whole thing was disgusting ! 

Ward Hill was too inexperienced to realize that 
he was for the first time face to face with one of 
the inevitables of life. Business? Success in the 
eyes of many had a broader mantle even than 
charity, and hid more sins and greater. Politics? 
Success to many here was to be found only in the 
man that won. The paths by which a man attained 
his position might all be forgotten in the glory of 
having arrived at the place sought. Even teaching, 
in Ward’s eyes the most inviting and influential of 
all callings, was to have its standard, not in the 
quality of the life it developed, but in the measure 
of success ” that came to the teacher. The 
friendly feeling, the popular applause of the little 
school world, the lack of friction, the absence of 
trouble — these were the standards by which a 
worker, no matter how honest and sincere he might 
be, was to be judged. 

Ward had worked himself up to a high pitch be- 
fore he began his tasks. He believed himself to be 
the victim of the selfishness and low ideals of others. 


152 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

He understood now the meaning of the martyr’s 
death, the heroic endurance of persecution. He 
was right; he was convinced of that. The question 
was merely one that pertained to himself. Should 
he be true or compromise? Ought he to stand, 
though to do so might cost him his position at Wes- 
ton? Again he thought of his father. How the 
man would suffer. Never had there been a more 
unselfish or loyal friend. Ah, there was the misery 
of it all ! To suffer himself was not so difficult, but 
to dash the hopes and pride of his father — was it 
worth the cost? Hogg was not a boy to whom the 
higher elements of life were ever likely to appeal. 
His fiber was not of a kind likely to respond to any 
uplifting or moral influence. He was like Tim 
Pickard and a host of others whom Ward had met — 
indifferent to the finer and higher elements in life; 
yes, even without any appreciation that there were 
any higher things than those which he himself had 
or sought. Absolutely self-sufficient, strengthened 
in his position by a silly mother and the indifference 
of a father, whose chief strength lay in his forceful- 
ness — brutal, cruel, overpowering — would any dis- 
cipline ever avail to help? 

The thought of Hogg as one who believed himself 
to be persecuted was a new one to Ward, and did 
not tend to soothe his troubled mind. Hogg was 
devoid of imagination. He was incapable of look- 
ing at another man from any other point of view 
than the one he held. Indeed, Ward smiled as he 


THE QUESTION 


153 


thought how incredulous the young giant was of 
there being another vision than his own. And yet, 
was it Hogg, or the class, or himself about whom 
he was most concerned? 

Suddenly Ward drew up to his desk and began to 
write. First he wrote a letter to his father, in 
which he tried clearly to explain the conditions as 
well as the problem before him. When this letter had 
been written, another of a similar character was 
penned to Mr. Crane, and the two were stamped and 
placed in the mail-box in the hall before he busied 
himself in the immediate work that demanded his 
attention. 

His papers had not all been corrected when the 
retiring bell rang, and the young teacher made the 
tour of the halls to see to it that all lights were out. 
The boys had been unusually quiet in the fifteen 
minutes between the warning bell and that for re- 
tiring and the putting out of all the lights. The only 
door at which he knocked was that of Bullock, and 
when Ward opened it he found that its occupant 
was ready for bed. 

Fm all ready, Mr. Hill,” laughed Bullock as he 
stood greeting the teacher. I’m not more than a 
minute late.” 

“ We have to have a little charity for the seniors,” 
said Ward. '' If they would have a little more 
for ” 

For whom, Mr. Hill ? ” inquired Bullock as the 
young teacher ceased. 


154 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ For themselves,” said Ward, though the words 
were not those which he had been about to utter. 

Don’t you think we’re good to ourselves ? ” 
said Bullock. “ If we’re not, we’ve no one to blame 
but ourselves.” 

I wish I believed that,” said Ward fervently. 

“Don’t you?” 

“What is your real conception, Bullock? Just 
what do you think the place of a teacher in Wes- 
ton is ? ” 

“ You mean what he is to do? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Why, he’s to teach.” 

“ Teach what the boys don’t know? ” 

“ It wouldn’t be teaching them if they knew it 
already,” laughed Bullock, who was manifestly 
puzzled by Ward’s questions. 

“ Yes, I understand that. But what ought a 
teacher to teach ? Where is he to draw the line ? ” 

“ I don’t know what you mean ? ” 

“ I don’t make myself very plain. You say a 
teacher is to teach the boys what they don’t know ? ” 

“ Of course.” 

“ If a boy in the Latin class believes the ablative 
is as good as the dative, he’s to be shown his 
error? ” 

“ Yes, sir. That’s what we’re here for ; just 
that.” 

“ And if he believes quadratics are of no use he’s 
to be shown that he is wrong there too ? ” 


THE QUESTION 


155 


Why, yes. Of course he is.’’ 

Suppose a boy believes twice two is five ? ” 

“ He’d be a fool ; but if he did, why, you’d have 
to set him right.” 

Suppose he believed a crooked stick was as 
good as a straight one ? ” 

“ It might be. Depends upon what he wants to 
use it for.” 

Suppose he believes a crooked way is as good 
as a straight one ? ” 

Then you’d have to try to set him right. That’s 
why we come to Weston.” 

“ Suppose he believes a crooked player on the 
eleven is just as good as a straight one — what 
then ? ” demanded Ward abruptly. 

For a moment Bullock stared at his visitor and 
did not speak. '' Don’t you think Malarkey ought 
to play, Mr. Hill ? ” he said at last. 

“ Do you? ” retorted Ward. 

I don’t think it’s above suspicion,” acknowledged 
Bullock. “ But what can we do ? It’s no more than 
has been done every year for the past five or six 
years. The Burrs are going to play two fellows 

under assumed names. We ” 

''Do you know that?” interrupted Ward. 

" Yes. There are two brothers who are the half- 
backs on Well, I guess I won’t tell you the 

name of the college team,” Bullock added with a 
light laugh. " They’re both expecting to play with 
the Burrs in our game.” 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


156 


“ It does not seem credible.” 

“ It’s true. There isn’t any doubt of it.” 

Why don’t you protest them ? ” 

“ What’s the use ? They’ll be vouched for by 
some of the teachers.” 

“ How can they do that ? ” 

Bullock shrugged his shoulders meaningly. We 
tried it last year and it didn’t work. What can you 
do, Mr. Hill ? If you have a game you have to meet 
them on their own ground, don’t you? I don’t like 
Malarkey’s playing with us, but I feel so mad at 
what the Burrs have done that I don’t see any other 
way out of it. Do you ? ” 

“ You say you were mad at the Burrs because of 
what they did. I can’t see that you are doing any 
better.” 

‘‘ Malarkey isn’t so bad. He’ll be a regular stu- 
dent in Weston to-morrow.” 

‘^Regular?” 

Well, he’ll be enrolled anyway. That covers the 
point, doesn’t it ? ” 

“ Do you think it does ? ” 

That’s what the fellows seem to think.” 

“ That is the very point, Bullock,” said Ward 
quickly. “ It’s the effect on our own boys which is 
the worst. Personally I don’t like it. It is a lie 

no matter how you fix it, and a lie ” 

Ward stopped abruptly as the sound of a crash 
came from the lower floor, and he instantly turned 
and ran rapidly down the stairway. 


CHAPTER XVII 


A VICTIM 

W HEN Ward arrived on the second floor of 
the building, he halted a moment and listened 
to the sounds that seemed to come from some near- 
by room. The disturbance apparently was not con- 
tinued and, as he turned toward the stairway lead- 
ing down to the floor on which his own rooms were 
located, he suddenly was drenched from head to 
foot with water that had been poured from the floor 
above him. 

Startled, indignant, perplexed, because the one 
who had done the deed was concealed by the dark- 
ness, for the lights had already been turned off. 
Ward’s first impulse was to dart up the stairway 
and try to discover the miscreant. A moment’s con- 
sideration, however, showed him the folly of any 
such attempt, and he at once began to descend the 
stairs. 

When he arrived on the first floor, he again halted 
and listened for any indications of disorder there, 
but the silence in the long hall was unbroken, and 
there were not any indications to be found that the 
boys were not in their rooms. Suddenly, another 
pailful of water struck him, manifestly thrown by 

157 


158 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

some one in hiding on the second floor, and the 
young teacher was again drenched. The suppressed 
sound of a laugh in the dim hallway of the second 
floor greeted him, but Ward restrained his impulse 
to dart up the stairs in an attempt to discover the 
culprit. Quickly he turned into his own rooms, and 
hastily closing the door into the hall, donned dry 
garments, and in a brief time was in the corridor 
again. 

He proceeded cautiously and swiftly to the room 
of Hogg and Mayo, which was on the second floor, 
and rapped loudly on the door. His summons had 
to be twice repeated before the door was opened be- 
fore him, and hastily securing a light Ward faced 
the two inmates. Neither Hogg nor Mayo betrayed 
any signs of amusement as they sleepily stared at 
the teacher. 

“ Has either of you been out of your room since 
the retiring bell was rung ? inquired Ward 
sharply. 

“ No, sir,” replied Mayo promptly. 

“And you, Hogg?” asked Ward. 

“ No, sir. I was almost asleep when you routed 
us out. What’s wrong?” The young giant 
growled, and plainly was not in an amiable frame of 
mind. The actions of both boys were conclusive, 
and Ward was convinced that neither had been con- 
cerned in the indignity he had suffered. “ I heard a 
disturbance, and I wasn’t certain just where it came 
from. I am sorry I disturbed you. Good night.” 


A VICTIM 


159 


Ward at once withdrew and returned to his 
rooms, moving down the stairs in such a manner 
that a repetition of his former experience was im- 
possible. However, the attempt to “ soak ” him 
was not made again and, closing his door, Ward 
seated himself once more at his desk. 

His anger had by this time given place to a feel- 
ing of mortification and chagrin. He recalled grimly 
the escapade of former years, when he had been 
concerned in the “ trick ” which had been played 
upon Mr. Pond.^ At that time he had laughed 
heartily at the plight of the tall teacher, and even a 
suggestion that Mr. Pond had been deeply hurt by 
his treatment had not so much as occurred to Ward. 
Now it was different, and he understood. He had 
labored so hard to help the boys. He had striven 
to hold up, as well as to uphold, the best things in 
the life of the Weston School. He had given of his 
strength and the time which he might have used to 
better advantage for himself in coaching the foot- 
ball team in its daily practice. 

And this was his reward. Misunderstood by the 
boys ; their antagonism manifestly aroused ; his high 
motives and purposes all misinterpreted ; and, worst 
of all, the covertly spoken rebuke of Doctor Gray 
for his efforts to maintain a high standard in his 
classroom, as well as on the athletic field. The 
game is not worth the candle,” he said to himself 
bitterly. He had done his best and could do no 

* See "Ward Hill at Weston.” 


i6o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


more. The amiability of the principal was sick- 
ening, disgusting, and his open failure to sustain 
his teachers was as contemptible as it was weak. 

But the result of it all upon himself spelled 
“ failure ” in glaring letters. Already he could 
see, in imagination, the expression of sorrow and 
mortification in the eyes of his father when he 
should learn that his son had not succeeded. And 
he had been so proud of Ward’s appointment to a 
place among the teachers of the famous old school. 
There was a lump in Ward’s throat as he sat alone 
in his misery. 

Then Jack’s words recurred. If he should “ mind 
his own business,” as his friend suggested, all his 
troubles would vanish into thin air. He could make 
himself popular. Ward had no question as to that. 
Even Doctor Gray, in whose vocabulary the weak 
word amiability had such a large place, could not do 
more in this line than he, if he once resolutely set 
about it. And was it not worth while? Was not 
success a larger as well as a better word than failure ? 
Why should he trouble himself concerning the stand- 
ard of Weston? If those who were far more re- 
sponsible than he sought to avoid trouble, why 
should he — the youngest teacher in the school — 
feel called upon to assume the burden? 

The way out of his difficulties at the moment 
seemed to be clear, and Ward arose to prepare for 
bed. In spite of the suggested solution, he was far 
from being content, and when a moment later the 


A VICTIM 


l6l 


thought occurred to him that the effect upon him- 
self of choosing the course that had presented itself 
to his troubled mind, would really prove only his own 
weakness, and that he would be following in the 
way of Doctor Gray, which he had so indignantly 
condemned, he stopped abruptly and said aloud, “ I 
can’t ! I can’t do it ! ” 

In a brief time he was ready for bed. As he threw 
back the coverings a low cry of despair escaped him. 
The blankets were soaked with water. Even the 
pillows and the mattress had not escaped. In- 
stantly he understood. While he had been in Bul- 
lock’s room, after the retiring bell had rung, the 
same miscreants who had doused him in the hall- 
ways, had poured water into his bed and made it 
unfit for use that night. 

Ward was strangely quiet as he removed the wet 
bedclothing, and made the best possible arrange- 
ments for the night. 

In the morning he awoke only partly rested, and 
his feeling of gloom was still upon him when he 
went to the dining-hall. Endeavoring to conceal his 
own feelings, he was nevertheless sensitive to the 
furtive glances given him by some of the younger 
boys, and was aware that the story of his experi- 
ences the preceding night was known throughout 
the school. At his table there were no spoken or im- 
plied references to the disorderly acts; and appar- 
ently all were in good spirits, even Hogg displaying 
Tio unfriendly attitude. 

L 


1 62 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

On the way from the dining-hall to the chapel, 
Hogg overtook the young teacher, and walking by 
his side said, “ I’ve been thinking of what you 
said to me yesterday, Mr. Hill.” 

“ Yes?” 

“ I know I haven’t been doing well, but you 
know as well as I do what football means to a fellow 
like me, especially at this time of the year.” 

Hogg’s voice and manner were both respectful, 
and Ward’s heart responded quickly to the change. 
“ Yes, I understand.” 

“ I want to do better, and I mean to,” continued 
Hogg. “ I know you can’t change the rules of the 
school. You didn’t make them, and I don’t ask you 
to do that. But is there anything to prevent giving 
a fellow another chance ? ” 

“ I don’t know. I am not sure,” said Ward 
slowly, as he recalled the words of Doctor Gray the 
preceding evening. “ Personally, I believe that 
every fellow should be given a second chance.” 

You do? Then that’s Hogg. I am Mt.’ I’m 
your vaccinium ovalifolium” 

“ You’re my what ? ” 

I’m your vaccinium ovalifolium” 

'' What does that mean ? ” 

“ That being interpreted is, ‘ I’m your huckle- 
berry.’ You didn’t think I knew so much Latin, did 
you ? ” laughed Hogg. 

'' Frankly, I did not.” 

‘‘ That’s just it. I never get the credit due me,” 


A VICTIM 163 

said Hogg demurely. “ Then I am to have another 
chance, am I ? ” 

“ Tm afraid I can’t promise that by myself.” 

What am I to do ? ” inquired Hogg quickly, his 
face betraying his keen disappointment. 

“ See Doctor Gray.” 

“ May I tell him you are in favor of giving me 
another chance ? ” 

Ward did not reply for a moment, as he thought- 
fully considered what was best. Yes,” he said at 
last. Tell Doctor Gray I favor giving you another 
chance to catch up. Tell him too, that I will help 
you for an hour every evening. That will be for 
your back work only, you understand.” 

Hogg’s face betrayed his anger as he said, 
“ You’re mighty good, Mr. Hill. I sha’n’t forget.” 

When Ward entered the chapel and took his seat 
on the platform facing the assembly, he could see 
Hogg whispering to Mayo, and as both boys 
glanced at him Ward was conscious that he was the 
subject of their conversation. On Hogg’s face there 
was an expression of mingled amusement and con- 
fidence that made the young teacher almost regret 
the cordial words he had spoken, and his heart was 
heavy as he became aware that the purpose of the 
captain of the football team had not been what 
it had appeared to be in the interview he had sought. 

At the close of the chapel exercise. Ward said to 
Doctor Gray : “ I told Hogg to come to see you to- 
day.” 


164 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ Was that all you said to him ? 

No, sir. I told him that he might say to you 
that I favored giving him another chance. I told 
him too, that I would help him an hour every eve- 
ning until his back work was made up.” 

“ You have done well, Mr. Hill,” said the princi- 
pal, plainly relieved by what he heard. “ I am posi- 
tive you have not made any mistake.” 

Ward did not reply, and the conviction in his 
heart was strengthened that the relief of the doctor 
was due more to his belief that “ trouble ” had 
been avoided, than to the offer which Ward 
had made — an offer which the young teacher 
was convinced was exceedingly generous on his 
part, and ought to have called forth a warmer 
response from the head of the Weston School. 
There was no opportunity for further conversation 
at the time, and Ward’s anxiety when he entered his 
classroom was in a measure relieved as he perceived 
that apparently there was not any marked change 
in the bearing of the boys. It was manifest that 
some of them were aware of his experiences of the 
preceding evening ; but it betrayed itself only in the 
glances of curiosity, as the boys looked first at the 
teacher and then slyly smiled at one another. 

In the afternoon Ward went as usual to the ath- 
letic field, where his efforts, apparently, were well 
received. In the evening, even after the boys had 
retired for the night, there was not any repetition of 
the escapades of the night before; and Ward’s 


A VICTIM 


165 


anxiety was in a measure relieved, although he was 
by no means convinced that his troubles were ended, 
and his watchfulness was unchanged. 

On the following day Hogg reported that Doctor 
Gray had given his consent to the plan proposed by 
Ward, and in the evening the football captain re- 
ported at Ward’s room, and apparently was zealous, 
in his slow-witted way, in striving to do the work 
assigned to him. On that day too, Malarkey regis- 
tered as a pupil in the Weston School and, although 
he was to be only a day-scholar, his presence at the 
chapel exercises was a source of pleasure to the 
boys, which they made no attempt to conceal. The 
huge player was cheered when he departed from the 
chapel, and Ward watched him curiously as he made 
his way to the building in which the younger boys 
recited. His feeling of disgust was deep; but he 
held his peace, aware of the uselessness of any 
further protest. 

The game with the Burrs was only two days dis- 
tant now, and the excitement in the school was 
hourly becoming stronger. Ward himself shared in 
the prevailing interest ; but when he entered the post- 
office, late in the afternoon, and found in his box a 
letter from his father, and also one from Mr. Crane, 
his thoughts were speedily absorbed in the perusal of 
them. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


A THREAT 


ARD read first the letter from his father. 



V V Not a word of reproach was in the message 
— only confidence in the good intentions of his son, 
and in his purpose to do what was right. The 
young teacher’s heart glowed with tenderness for 
the one man in all the world upon whose love he 
might always depend. Near the end of the letter his 
father had written : I am hardly able to credit 
what you write concerning Doctor Gray. He is a 
lifelong friend of mine, and I have been exceed- 
ingly fond of him. Still, I can appreciate the pos- 
sibility that he has allowed his higher conception of 
love to dwindle into a mere amiability; but before 
you or I accept such a conclusion as final, we ought 
to be more positively convinced than we are at the 
present moment. As I recall my own relations with 
him, I can appreciate how his very position and sur- 
roundings might have led him on while he was un- 
aware of the direction in which he was being carried. 
You can be quietly positive without being rash. 
Perhaps your own impulsive nature has led you to 
leap to certain conclusions before you were quite 
justified. Your experience has not been very ex- 


166 


A THREAT 


167 


tensive, and it is easy to misjudge. But, having 
said this, I have said all in that connection. I would 
rather have my son true than great. It is what you 
are rather than what you do that is foremost in my 
ambition for you. I do not feel capable of giving 
you definite advice, except to say to you ‘ Don’t 
weakly compromise with anything that may lower 
your life.’ Why don’t you state the case frankly to 
Mr. Crane?” 

Ward looked up and smiled as he glanced at the 
other letter in his hand. He had already written 
Mr. Crane, and his reply had been received. A 
postscript in his father’s letter added : “ I am en- 

closing a bit of verse which I clipped this morning 
from one of the magazines. Perhaps the lines may 
be as suggestive to you as they were to me. At all 
events, I was thinking of you while I was reading 
them.” 

The slip was inside the envelope, and drawing it 
out Ward read the verses carefully and thoughtfully : 

SUCCESS IN FAILURE^ 

’T is failure then? So be it. I have toiled 
And given my best of self, and not recoiled 
Before the bitter way, the rock-steep road. 

Till here I pause of hope and strength despoiled. 

Shall I turn back and be success’s thrall? 

No! Let me rather far be known through all 
My life as one who would be great and failed, 
Than one who was contented to be small. 


» Curtis, "Hidden Page." 


i68 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Then on again! And where thick mists defend 
The summit’s self from sight my way shall tend ; 

1 love the cliffs and walls that block the path — 
Steeper the mountain, faster we ascend. 

The words were stirring, and the fact that they 
had appealed to his father strengthened their appeal 
to him. He smiled as he thought he was far from 
being of hope and strength despoiled,” but there 
was a tonic in the lines that did him good like a 
medicine. 

Tearing open the letter frorh Mr. Crane, he saw 
at a glance that it was brief, and he hastily read it 
as he continued on his way: 

My Dear Mr. Hill: 

I appreciate your position and perplexity. You are right, 
and in this war there is no retreat. The evil you are com- 
bating is a poison in our school and college life. The 
task of purifying is as great as the labor of Hercules in the 
Augean stables. 

Let me remind you, however, that you are not Hercules. 
The work cannot be accomplished in a day. Rome re- 
quired more than that for her completion, didn’t she? 
Your aim is never to be turned from the results desired. 
To accomplish is more than to fight or even to suffer as a 
martyr. I do not believe you can change the sentiments and 
traditions of Weston in one contest. What then? Do not 
make the mistake of breaking yourself instead of the evil. 
Be quiet^ positive, and far-seeing. It’s a war, a campaign; 
not a battle. A man can do or say almost anything if he 
is genuinely friendly in his attitude. Don’t be downcast or 
discouraged ; don’t be a scold or a pessimist ; don’t compro- 
mise or crawl; and above all don’t — don’t — don’t shoulder 


A THREAT 


169 


more responsibility than is justly yours. Be brave, quiet, 
firm, and in the end you will win the victory, though you 
may lose a few battles. There are three principles which I 
have found to be exceedingly practical. They are really 
better than any of the maxims of success in the business 
world. ** Overcome evil with good.’’ “ I show you a more 
excellent way.” “ The greatest ... is love.” I know many 
quote these words without believing they are practical or 
usable. Try them. 

Ward felt when he had read the letter almost as if 
Mr. Crane had been speaking to him. His heart 
was stronger and fixed. Whatever might be his 
experiences in the immediate future, he would at 
least be true. What did Mr. Crane mean by “ over- 
coming evil with good ” ? And “ a more excellent 
way^’ — what did he imply? 

Not seeing clearly, and yet in a measure assured 
of the sympathy and support of his father and Mr. 
Crane, the oppressive load which the young teacher 
had been carrying — the mortification, the sense of 
impending failure — was somewhat lighter, and 
when his evening tasks were done and Hogg re- 
mained in Ward’s room after his labors were ended, 
even the young giant seemed to have forgotten the 
ill will he had previously manifested. 

“ We’re going to have the biggest crowd here 
for the game that Weston ever saw,” he said. 

“ I’m glad of it,” Ward said cordially. My 
friend Jack — I mean Mr. Hobart,” he corrected him- 
self lightly — “ will be here to-morrow.” 

'' I wish he could have come before.” 


170 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


So do L” 

‘‘The fellows all liked him, and he’s a great 
coach.” 

“ Yes,” assented Ward. “ His only, or at least 
the chief, criticism he made was in using Malarkey 
as a halfback. He is to play, I fancy?” 

“ Why, yes. Of course he’s to play,” said Hogg 
quickly. “ He’s an enrolled student at Weston. 
There isn’t any reason why he shouldn’t play, is 
there? The Burrs can’t protest him. Mr. Hobart 
believed in playing him. Honestly, Mr. Hill, didn’t 
he?” 

“ I’m not sure he’s an unprejudiced observer.” 

“ Why didn’t he want Malarkey to play halfback? 
He didn’t say anything about it to me when he was 
here.” 

“ I think he was of the opinion that Malarkey 
would do better on the line.” 

“ Do you think so ? ” 

“ No. The line is heavy, unusually heavy, and 
Malarkey is such a big fellow that with his tremen- 
dous speed he’ll carry everything before him. At 
least he ought to.” 

“ That’s the way I look at it. A good many have 
said we ought to make Malarkey a guard, but there 
isn’t a fellow in Weston can touch him as a sprinter. 
It isn’t often you find such a big fellow who can run 
as he does. He’s a sprinter, and with his weight 
when he hits the line — well, somebody is going to 
know it ! ” 


A THREAT 


I7I 

I have no question as to that,” assented Ward. 

I wish I could watch the game as well as play 
it.” 

I don’t think very much of it will escape you.” 

“ Let us hope so, Mr. Hill. I want to tell you 
that — that trouble the other night here — in your bed 

— when you were ‘ soaked ’ — I mean You know 

what I mean ” 

It was the first time Ward had ever seen Hogg in 
any way embarrassed, and when he abruptly ceased. 
Ward smiled and said, “ Yes.” 

'' Why, you see, the fellows didn’t quite under- 
stand. They thought you were going to put me out 
of the Virgil and the game, and they suspected you 
were opposed to Malarkey’s playing ” 

I was and I am,” said Ward quietly. 

Would you put him out now ? ” demanded Hogg 
sharply. 

“ Yes.” 

^^Why? What for?” 

You know the answer.” 

** Oh, you can’t expect us all to be mollycoddles, 
especially when we have a game with the Burrs.” 

“ I don’t, and I don’t want it at any time.” 

But you are not going to do anything more 
about Malarkey ? ” 

Nothing more than I have done.” 

Have you done anything already ? ” Hogg’s 
face flushed an angry red, and he was glaring at the 
young teacher. 


172 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ I said in the teachers’ meeting the other evening 
just what I have said to you and others, that I did 
not think he ought to be played.” 

You did?” 

Yes.” 

“ Well, I guess it didn’t count for much,” retorted 
Hogg roughly. 

“ No, I am afraid it didn’t,” Ward acknowledged, 
smiling as he spoke. 

“ And yet the fellows all think you are standing 
out against Malarkey.” 

“ I am.” 

“ I don’t see why.” 

Suddenly Mr. Crane’s suggestion occurred to the 
young teacher. Show a more excellent way.” 

Overcome evil with good.” Were the words prac- 
tical? As Ward looked at the stalwart captain, 
noting not only the great strength of the boy, but 
his absolute failure to appreciate the conception in 
his mind, it did seem as if Mr. Crane must be mis- 
taken. Hogg,” he said, “ do you or any of the 
boys think I am not interested ? ” 

“ They didn’t think so until ” 

“Until I said I didn’t think Malarkey had any 
right to play on a Weston team? ” suggested Ward 
as Hogg hesitated. 

“ That’s just it ! Why you should go down and 
coach the team, and then get up in the teachers’ 
meeting and do the one thing that was sure to 
weaken us, is what we can’t understand.” 


A THREAT 


173 


** I am a Weston boy myself.” 

“ Yes, we all know that,” replied Hogg, grinning 
as he spoke. 

“ When I came here, I believed in some ways as 
you do. I did not look very far ahead, and I made 
some mistakes. I don’t want you to make them.” 

‘‘ I guess we all have to learn by experience.” 

“ You’re mistaken.” 

‘‘I am?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ I don’t see how. That’s what everybody says, 
anyway.” 

“ I don’t think * everybody ’ does say so ; and if 
they did it would still not be true. Even you don’t 
believe that it is necessary to put your hand into the 
fire to understand the pain that follows.” 

“ ‘ A burnt child dreads the fire,’ ” laughed Hogg. 

‘‘ But a wise child doesn’t burn or keep on burn- 
ing his fingers to find it out. No, Hogg, I want 
Weston to have a good team, but I want it to be a 
true Weston team and win fair, that’s all. It does 
not pay in the end to do any other way.” 

“ I guess we’ll have to put up with it. Malarkey’s 
a Weston boy now.” 

Is he?” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ If he comes down to New York this winter will 
you introduce him to your family as a Weston 
boy?” 

** Yes, sir. And proud of the chance too.” 


174 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ Hogg, if I am opposed to Malarkey it is not to 
him as a boy. I stand for a clean, straight Weston 
team, that’s all.” 

“ But you’re opposed to him.” 

“ Yes, because I’d rather see a real Weston fel- 
low in his place.” 

“ We haven’t one we could play.” 

‘‘ You might develop one.” 

‘‘ Can’t do it. He isn’t in the school.” 

“ And so you play a fellow who is an outsider ? ” 

“ Malarkey isn’t out ; he’s in.” 

The task was hopeless. Hogg either would not 
or could not see; and Ward felt as helpless as he 
was hopeless. 

“ I just want to say, Mr. Hill,” said Hogg as he 
departed, “that the fellows, of course, feel pretty 
sore ; but I’ll try to stop any such performances as we 
had the other night. I don’t stand for that. If Ma- 
larkey plays and no one makes any trouble, why it’ll 
be all right, I guess. If anything is done at the 
game, why — why — I’m not sure I could keep back 
some of the fellows. They’d be pretty mad, you 
know. Good night, Mr. Hill.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


jack's return 

I N ^pite of the difficulties which beset him, Ward 
Hill’s resolution was stronger than ever it had 
been. The letters he had received from his father 
and Mr. Crane had cheered him, even while he was 
mindful of his former teacher’s warning not to as- 
sume the entire responsibility for the presence on 
the school eleven of a player whose standing was a 
living lie to all the Weston pupils. 

There was also the consciousness in his mind of 
the fact that his classes had been doing excellent 
work. It was true that within the past few days 
an air of restlessness had become manifest, but 
Ward had endeavored to assure himself that this 
was mostly due to the approaching game with the 
Burrs. It was scarcely just to expect too much of 
the boys, and Ward was not unmindful of his own 
feelings at such a time only a few years ago. It is 
true that the young teacher had moments of misgiv- 
ing, when it seemed to him the attitude of the boys 
might be due to their personal feeling toward him, 
but on such occasions he strove to shake off the sus- 
picion that his classes were more affected by the 
prevailing excitement than those of the other teach- 

175 


176 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

ers, and to look at the conditions as they really were 
and not as his own nervous condition pictured them. 

The newly discovered weakness of amiability on 
the part of Doctor Gray was disturbing, as was also 
the slightly cynical warning of Mr. Newcombe; but 
deeper than either was the determination of Ward 
to be true to his own conviction and, though he no 
longer felt called upon to thrust his opinion into 
the foreground, he still was firm in his determination 
to uphold it quietly as occasion might demand. The 
sense of justice — one of the keenest of all the ele- 
ments in boy life — must prevail in the end, he de- 
clared to himself repeatedly whenever he was espe- 
cially downcast, and patience he knew was one of 
the great requisites for success. He could wait — he 
must wait — he assured himself many a time, and the 
real test of his ultimate success would be found in 
his ability to meet the situation as it presented itself 
and the obstacles that intervened. 

In view of all the conditions, Ward was in good 
spirits, although he was more thoughtful and serious 
than usual when, on the day preceding the game 
with the Burrs, Jack Hobart arrived at Weston. 

Even Jack showed the eflPects of unusual applica- 
tion on his part, for Ward was certain he never had 
seen before the evidences of hard work so manifest 
in his friend. But Jack’s labors and toils plainly had 
been left behind him, and when he greeted Ward 
on the platform of the Weston station it was with all 
the enthusiasm of the former days. 


jack's return 


177 


Once more Jack insisted upon walking to the 
school, and his delight at being among the familiar 
scenes again was so contagious that Ward found 
himself sharing the exuberant spirits of his enthusi- 
astic friend. Trouble or depression could not linger 
long where Jack Hobart was, and the relief to the 
troubled young teacher was doubly welcome. That 
the coming of Jack, when the “ old grad ” took his 
seat at Ward’s right at the supper table, was a cause 
of rejoicing was manifest in the enthusiasm of the 
boys. Many were the questions which the visitor 
asked concerning the team, and the probable out- 
come of the game on the morrow, and Ward listened 
as pleased as any at the welcome bestowed upon his 
friend. 

“ You’ve told me about the Weston team,” said 
Jack at last ; ‘‘ but you haven’t said very much about 
the other team. What have you heard about the 
Burrs? ” 

“ We’ll tell you more to-morrow night,” laughed 
Hogg. 

“ Haven’t you got a line on them ? ” 

“ We’ve only heard in a general way.” 

“ Hasn’t any one seen the team ? ” 

“ Oh, yes. Mayo saw their game with the Red- 
path Academy.” 

“ How are they ? What did you find out ? ” in- 
quired Jack quickly as he glanced at Mayo. 

“ I don’t believe I got a true lead. They didn’t 
pull out all their stops. The game was too one- 

M 


178 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


sided to show what they could do if they should be 
hard pressed,” replied Mayo. 

“ The Burrs won ? ” 

“ Just a little.” 

“ What was the score? ” 

“ Twenty-eight to six.” 

“ How did Redpath make their score ? ” 

“ On a fluke. The halfback fumbled and the 
Redpath end was on him before he could get the 
ball again, and ran half the length of the field for 
the easiest touchdown you ever saw made.” 

“ Couldn’t you find their weak spot ? ” 

“ I saw some things ; but one can’t ask too much 
you know.” 

“ Yes, I understand,” said Jack lightly. “ Makes 
me think of a story I heard the other day. A farmer 
had sold his pig and bought a new one. The day 
after the purchase, the farmer’s small boy was sit- 
ting on the pen watching the new occupant when a 
neighbor and his wife drove past the place. ‘ How’s 
your pig to-day, Johnnie?’ called out the man, who 
was a great friend of the little fellow. ‘ Oh, he’s 
pretty well,’ piped up the little chap. ‘ How’s all 
your folks ? ’ ” 

The boys all laughed at Jack’s story, and Mayo 
said, “ That’s about the way it is, Mr. Hobart.” 

Of course. You can’t be too inquisitive, but you 
can keep your eyes open.” 

“ Oh, Mayo does that,” chimed in Hogg. He 
sees a good deal, and then he talks about it. The 


jack's return 


179 


difference between Mayo and that pig you were tell- 
ing about, Mr. Hobart, is that the pig goes on four 
paws and Mayo goes on without any pause." 

“ Who ever heard of a pig having ‘ paws ’ ? " re- 
torted Mayo. “ You ought to know all about it, 
Hogg," he added angrily. “ I’ll not dispute you if 
you say it’s so." 

Hogg’s face flushed an angry red and signs of 
trouble were manifest, but Jack’s quick wit came to 
the aid of the dull-witted captain, and he said, 
“ Don’t you be scared by the reports of the Burr 
eleven! I’ve heard these reports ever since the 
memory of man runneth not to the contrary. Every 
year the same old story bobs up. Makes me think of 
something I read this afternoon, on my way up from 
New York, about one of these fellows with such an 
impressive air that every one that meets him thinks 
he must know almost half as much as he looks as if 
he did. This particular man was one of whom great 
things had always been expected, but the expecta- 
tions seemed to be about all. One day he was walk- 
ing along the street, and some one said to his com- 
panion, when they stopped to watch the great man : 

‘ There goes Bill W . Bill ain’t the man he was.’ 

‘ No,’ said his neighbor, ‘ and he never was.’ " 

“ You think that’s the way it is with the Burrs, 
Mr. Hobart? ’' inquired Bullock, as the boys laughed 
and the evident tension was relieved. 

Yes, I do." 

“ Did they ever win while you were at Weston? ” 


i8o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Jack made a wry face, and the boys laughed as he 
said, “ I played only two years on the Weston 
eleven.” 

“ How many games did the Burrs win in those 
two years ? ” 

From us?” 

‘‘ Yes, sir.” 

“ They won only one. That’s right, isn’t it. 
Ward ? ” said Jack drolly, as he turned to his friend 
for confirmation. 

“ That’s correct,” laughed Ward. 

“ That’s half the time, Mr. Hobart,” suggested 
Mayo. 

“ Oh, yes, I suppose it is,” acknowledged Jack 
lightly ; “ but, after all, it’s not much of a consola- 
tion to win just one game.” 

“ How many was it you won ? ” asked Bullock. 

“ Every other game except that.” 

“ You make me think of something I read the 
other day,” said Ward, who had taken but little 
part in the conversation. “ An old librarian in a 
public library had become very keen in his search 
for markings or any kind of defacements in the 
books he lent. One day a boy brought back a book 
he had borrowed, and the old librarian took it and 
began to look through the pages for any signs of 
damage. ‘ Here, sir,’ he said when he discovered a 
hole which had been pricked by a pin. ‘ Here’s a 
hole on page fifty-one. Yes, sir ; and here’s another 
on the very next page— -page fifty-two. Why did 


jack’s return 


i8i 


you deface the book like that? Isn’t one hole 
enough? Why have you made a hole on each of 
these pages ? I must mark this : “ Hole on page 
fifty-one, ditto on page fifty-two.” ’ ” 

“What’s the joke, Mr. Hill?” said Hogg 
gruffly. None of the boys had laughed at Ward’s 
story, but Hogg’s question called out a hearty laugh 
from every one at the table. 

The young teacher’s face flushed slightly, and 
Jack quickly and keenly glanced at the boys and 
then at his friend. “ Hogg, perhaps you can ex- 
plain how a boy could punch a hole through a page 
and not have it appear on the other side of the 
leaf.” 

“ I hadn’t thought of that,” said the huge captain 
soberly, and the laughter of the boys was renewed. 
“ I don’t see the point anyway. What’s it got to do 
with the games with the Burrs?” 

“ I was explaining,” said Jack dryly,, “ that I 
played in two games with the Burrs, and that they 
won only one.” 

“ Well, you won the other, didn’t you? ” 

“ We did that ! There isn’t any excuse in being 
afraid of the Burrs when the very best they could do 
was get one game.” 

“If they get the game to-morrow they’ll know 
they’ve been playing football when they’re done,” 
said Hogg positively. 

“ They will that ! ” assented Mayo. “ That fellow, 
Malarkey, would tear holes in a cast-iron bar.” 


i82 ward hill — THE TEACHER 

“Who’s Malarkey?” inquired Jack. “Is he the 
huge chap that played halfback when I was up here 
a few weeks ago ? ” 

“ Yes, sir,” said Mayo quietly, and it was at once 
manifest that a certain air of restraint had quickly 
seized upon the boys. They all glanced shrewdly at 
Ward, but the young teacher did his utmost not to 
seem mindful of the suppressed feeling among the 
boys at the table. 

“ Oh, yes, I remember him,” said Jack. He was 
aware that something was wrong, but though he 
looked keenly first at Ward and then at the boys, 
Bullock was the only one to respond by a smile. 
“ Yes, I remember that fellow. He must be a won- 
der if he has improved over what he was doing that 
day.” 

“ He is,” said Bullock. 

“Which form is he in?” inquired Jack. There 
was silence about the table for a moment, and then 
Hogg laughed as he replied, “ He’s taking a special 
course, I understand, Mr. Hobart.” 

“ H’m! I see. What course is he taking? ” 

“ I don’t think he has selected all his classes yet,” 
laughed Hogg. 

“ What is he taking now? ” persisted Jack. 

“ He has some work in penmanship,” said Mayo. 

“ Yes, he has spelling too,” added Bullock. 

“ Chapel, writing, spelling — football. Pretty full 
course,” said Jack dryly. 

“ He says he’s going to take more pretty soon,” 


JACKS RETURN 


183 


said Mayo. “ I don’t know whether you know any- 
thing about it or not, but he says that you spoke to 
him about his entering Tegrus. He understands 
that it will not be very expensive for him to take a 
college course. At least, that’s the impression he 
gave me,” Mayo added, as he became aware of the 
grin on the faces of his companions at the table. 

“ He’d be a help on the team, anyway,” said Jack 
lightly, as the signal was given for the boys to rise 
and pass out of the dining-hall. “What’s wrong? 
What’s the trouble, old man ? ” he said as he and 
Ward walked back to East Hall. “ Is it Malarkey ? 

“ What made you say that ? ” 

“ Oh, I can feel there’s something awry. I’m not 
just sure what it is, but I suspect that bunch of bones 
and muscles called Malarkey has something to do 
with it. Out with it, old fellow! Tell me what’s 
wrong.” 

Thus bidden, Ward related all that had occurred 
since Jack’s previous visit, not omitting what had 
taken place in the teachers’ meeting and how he had 
been doused in East Hall. Not once did Jack 
interrupt his friend, and when Ward stopped at last 
he turned eagerly to his companion to hear what he 
would say. 


> 

CHAPTER XX 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 



‘OR a time Jack Hobart did not speak and 


L Ward’s feeling of depression returned. He 
had somehow depended upon his friend’s encourage- 
ment, for he knew that in spite of Jack’s apparently 
light manner of treating the serious matters of life, 
he still was true and strong. And, at the time, Ward 
was in sore need of sympathy. More than he was 
aware the young teacher relied upon appreciation, 
for his temperament was of the kind that was keenly 
responsive to the good-will of those with whom he 
was in daily contact. Not that Ward Hill was weak 
or unduly sensitive to praise, but his heart was easily 
elated and correspondingly quick to feel the lack of 
encouragement. His strength might be equal to the 
demands made upon it if the latter condition pre- 
vailed, but it would be only by rousing himself to 
meet the emergency, and his suffering would be 
keen, even if he did not weakly submit. 

“ Well, Ward,” said Jack at last, “ you know what 
I think about it.” 

“ What do you think ? ” 

“ I don’t admire the man who butts his head 
against a stone wall.” 


184 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 185 

You’d have me dodge? ” 

“ No, sir. Not a bit. I haven’t any use for that 
either.” 

“ Well, what would you do? ” 

“ You know well enough what I’d do. I don’t 
believe I’ve got the stuff in me to make a martyr. 
There are some fellows who seem to crave that sort 
of thing. I’ve often wondered just how the old 
boys who were flung to the lions or burned at the 
stake really fixed it up with themselves. Were they 
just victims of conscience or were they fighting 
for a real principle? Was it because they wanted to 
have their own way more than the best way? Hold 
on,” continued Jack quickly as his friend interrupted 
him. What I mean is this : I’ve seen men in a 
political campaign get red in the face, and say and 
do all sorts of things they wouldn’t if they were 
sane. Now what was it that made them act as they 
did?” 

They thought their party was standing for the 
right.” 

“ Maybe they did, but I haven’t happened to see 
many that impressed me that way. It always seemed 
to me that it was my way, my party, my candidate, 
my — my — my — me — me — me. Honestly, Ward, 
that’s the way I read it. Of course, I may be 
wrong. I’m just telling you how it impressed me, 
that’s all.” 

And it’s still ' me ’ with you. Jack, even when 
you watch these men ? ” 


i86 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


'' Yes, I suppose so, since you put it that way, 
though I hadn’t just thought of it before.” 

Do you think,” said Ward a little bitterly, “ that 
I’m courting all this trouble in Weston just because 
I want it ? ” 

“ No. Not exactly. But I think you’re taking 
too much on yourself.” 

I don’t see how. I’m sure it isn’t anything I’ve 
sought. I’d be only too glad if things were different. 
I’m not the one who created the conditions. I 
didn’t want Malarkey to play on the Weston eleven. 
What would you have me do. Jack? Sit down 
meekly and say, ‘ You’re a good boy, Hogg. Can’t 
you find another fellow somewhere like Ma- 
larkey?”’ 

“ No.” 

Explain yourself, then.” 

I’m not a teacher. I’m only a lawyer ; or at least 
I’m hoping to be one some day. I guess I don’t 
make myself very clear, but what I’d do is this : I 
wouldn’t meddle too much. You didn’t found the 
Weston School. You’re not responsible for condi- 
tions that are better at Weston than they are in most 
schools. Was it Ajax or Atlas that took the whole 
world on his shoulders? Atlas, you say? Thank 
you. I recall his stunt. But he got out from under 
the load, didn’t he ? Why should you take it up ? ” 

“ I’m not taking it up at all. Here I am, a 
teacher in the Weston School. I’m here to teach 
Latin, and do everything in my power for the boys. 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


187 


If it’s scanning, then I’m to try to teach the dactylic 
hexameter. If it’s Latin prose, then I’m to try to 
show the boys that the rules of the Latin grammar 
are real. If it’s honesty — then I don’t think I’m 
free to dodge any more than I am to leave a boy’s 
doggerel Latin sentences alone. Be honest. Jack. 
Do you think I am to let the real boy, his char- 
acter, alone ? ” 

“ You aren’t responsible for ” 

No, I’m not responsible for the boys’ getting 
Malarkey to play,” broke in Ward hastily. “ Don’t 
you suppose I’ve thought of that? Well, I have, 
and more than a little too. I’m not responsible — 
you’re right about that.” 

“ Then why in the world do you ” 

“ Hold on a minute. Jack,” interrupted Ward 
again. I say just as you do that I’m not the one 
to blame for Malarkey. Neither am I to blame 
for the twisted sentences the boys hand in in Latin 
prose. But suppose I let those sentences stand 
just as the boys wrote them? Would I have any 
responsibility then ? ” 

You’re paid to correct them.” ' 

'' Of course I am. Now suppose it isn’t Latin 
prose, but is football. That is as much a part of the 
school life as the other, though it’s in a different 
way. I’ll admit. Hogg, we’ll say, hands in a Latin 
paper that is all wrong. I’m to correct his work and 
show him a better way. In his football work he 
‘ hands in ’ some work that is crooked. What shall 


l88 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

I do about that? Do I have any responsibility 
then?” 

“ I see, Ward,” acknowledged Jack thoughtfully, 
“ at least, I see what you’re driving at. I’ll own up 
it gave me a bit of a shock when you told me how 
even Doctor Gray was dodging. I may want Ma- 
larkey to play, but I don’t feel proud of the prin- 
cipal’s smoothing it out. I might not say so out loud 
if the doctor should ask me my opinion of the matter, 
but that’s the way I’d feel about it. What are you 
going to do ? ” 

“ I don’t know that I shall do anything.” 

“ You know just exactly what you’ll do. I haven’t 
roomed with you for five years without learning a 
thing or two and some things besides.” 

“ I’m honest. I don’t know that I shall do any- 
thing more. The boys know what I think, and so do 
the teachers and Doctor Gray. If my advice isn’t 
followed, of course. I’m not the one to blame.” 
Ward laughed and endeavored to speak lightly, but 
his distress was too manifest for his friend to be 
deceived. 

I can’t see why you are so worked up. Ward,” 
Jack said. 

“ Can’t you ? Then you haven’t thought very 
much about it. I’m afraid. I am of the opinion that 
to work in a player on a school team when he doesn’t 
in any way belong to the school, is to put a premium 
on a lie. It’s a living lie too. If the boys are 
allowed to do that, and the school upholds them. 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


189 


who can say anything if they lie or cheat in exami- 
nations? If it’s fair to cheat there, why isn’t it all 
right to do it afterward in a bank? If ” 

“ Hold on. Do you think you’re going to make 
every bank official in the world honest ? ” 

“ That isn’t the point at all.” 

“ What is it, then ? ” 

“To make every Weston boy honest. When we 
say to them, as we virtually do when we allow Ma- 
larkey to play, it doesn’t matter much how you win, 
the main thing is to win, we’re only stating in an- 
other way that by and by if one of them is a cashier 
in a bank, for example, it isn’t wrong to have 
crooked accounts, if he can just keep them so they 
appear to be straight. It isn’t wrong to be dis- 
honest, but it is disgraceful to be found out.” 

“ You’re drawing it pretty fine.” 

“ No, I am not; and you know I’m not! ” retorted 
Ward warmly. “ I tell you. Jack Hobart, a school 
like Weston hasn’t any excuse for existing, unless it 
can do more than fill the boys with Latin and mathe- 
matics.” 

“ And yet the great pride of Weston is what her 
boys do in college.” 

“ No.” 

“ Then I’m mistaken,” laughed Jack. 

“ Yes, you are.” 

“ What is it, then ? ” 

“ It isn’t what the Weston boys do, but what 
they are.” 


190 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


That’s beautiful, but it’s poetry. It’s a dream.” 

“Do you believe that, Jack?” 

“ Not entirely.” 

“ Of course, you don’t.” 

“ It’s a trifle visionary, though.” 

“ No, it’s a vision; but it isn’t a bit visionary. If 
I had my way I wouldn’t keep a fellow in school one 
day after he’d shown he wasn’t fit to be here. Wes- 
ton is to form boys, not reform them.” 

“ What are you going to do about Malarkey ? 
Going to protest ? ” 

“No. I have done my part.” 

“ But suppose ” 

“ I’m not supposing anything. I don’t see why I 
should. I have done my part. Of course, if some- 
thing unexpected comes up ” 

“ What will you do then ? ” 

“ ‘ Sufficient unto the day,’ ” said Ward quietly. 

“ You know exactly what you’ll do.” 

“ Perhaps you’ll be kind enough to tell me just 
what that will be,” laughed Ward. 

“ I heard of a man the other day who was expect- 
ing to sail for Europe. He was in mortal fear of 
drowning, so he bought a book that gave specific 
directions as to just what one must do if the ship 
sprung a leak or had a collision or started for Davy 
Jones’ locker. He read it all through carefully, and 
then began to tell his friends how confident he was 
and how all his fear had gone. ‘ What’ll you do if 
the boiler bursts, and you find yourself two hundred 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I9I 

feet away from the old tub and sinking in the briny 
deep ? ’ one of his friends inquired. ‘ That’s easy,’ 
replied the man scornfully. ‘ I’ll just turn to page 
forty-seven and find the full directions there. ’ ” 

“ What’s the point of that remarkable tale, Jack? ” 
inquired Ward with a laugh. 

“ The moral of that beautiful tale is — keep your 
finger on the page, and when the boiler bursts you’ll 
have directions handy.” 

“ Thank you.” 

“ You’re welcome. I’m sure.” 

The two friends by this time had arrived at 
Ward’s rooms and, as they entered. Jack said 
cheerily, “ Keep up your heart, old man. My 
opinion is that you have been worrying too much. 
There is still a bit of difference between an ant- 
hill and a mountain.” 

Depends a little upon whether it’s an ant or a 
man who is viewing the landscape,” replied Ward 
more heartily than he had spoken throughout the 
walk. Jack’s unshaken optimism was good for him 
to share. Ward said to himself, and just to have his 
friend near him was to strengthen the determination 
of the young teacher, for in his heart he believed that 
Jack approved the stand he had taken. 

I beg your pardon, but is this Mr. Hill ? ” 

Ward turned abruptly at the unexpected query, 
and perceived that a man had risen from a chair in 
the corner of the room and was standing before him. 

“ Yes, sir, I am Mr. Hill,” said Ward. “ I’ll have 


192 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

a light in a moment.” When the lamp on the table 
had been lighted, Ward saw that his visitor was a 
young man not much older than he ; but he was a 
stranger. 

** My name is Low. I am a teacher in the Burr 
School. I came over to Weston this afternoon with 
our team and some of the boys. I came here a few 
minutes ago and, not finding you in, I ventured to 
make myself at home for I heard that you would 
soon be back.” 

“ I am glad to meet you, Mr. Low,” said Ward 
quietly, and then turning to Jack he introduced his 
friend. 

“ I wanted to have a — a little conversation with 
you,” began Mr. Low as he seated himself once 
more. “ It is somewhat personal ” 

“ Excuse me,” said Jack hastily. “ Til leave you 
two pedagogues to yourselves.” 

“ Don’t go. Jack,” said Ward quickly. “ Mr. Ho- 
bart is an old Weston boy,” he then said to his 
visitor, “ and my closest friend. I am sure his 
presence will not be an intrusion.” 

No, probably not,” said Mr. Low a little dubi- 
ously, Ward thought. “ If Mr. Hobart is a Weston 
boy he may be interested in what I say. I must ex- 
plain that I do not wish you in any way to mis- 
understand what I am doing. There have been so 
many rumors current in these days of excitement be- 
fore our annual game, that at last I promised our 
boys to come straight to you and have you set at 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


193 


rest the reports, every one of which doubtless is 
without foundation. It has been reported, however, 
that your team expects Malarkey to play to-morrow. 
I shall be glad if you will deny the report, Mr. 


CHAPTER XXI 


QUESTION AND QUESTION 
HE question of the Burr teacher was not unex- 



X pected, and Ward Hill had been striving to 
prepare himself to meet it. But when it came he 
was for a moment at a loss for a reply. “ Why do 
you ask me that, Mr. Low? he said after a some- 
what awkward silence. 

“ I thought it was only fair to both teams and to 
both schools that I should ask it, and of you,’' 
replied Mr. Low. 

“ But I am not the one to decide such matters.” 
The manifest confusion of Ward as well as his ap- 
parent unwillingness to reply, at once increased the 
confidence of his visitor, and there was also an ex- 
pression of triumph on his face that was still more 
maddening to Ward. 

“ Who is, if you are not? ” demanded Mr. Low. 

‘‘ The principal.” 

“ But you know as well as he.” 

“ Malarkey is not in any of my classes.” 

“ I can believe that,” laughed Mr. Low. “ You 
have the Latin, haven’t you ? ” 

“ Yes, that is my department.” 

“ From what I have heard I am not surprised that 


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QUESTION AND QUESTION I95 

Malarkey is not a specialist in the classics. Then 
you will not answer my question ? ” 

“ I have not said that,” replied Ward slowly. 
“ What I said was that I did not have Malarkey 
in any of my classes.” 

“ What do you want me to understand by that ? ” 

'‘Just what I have explained. Not more than 
half the members of our team are taking Lrtin. 
What department do you have, Mr. Low ? ” 

“ English.” 

“ Is every fellow on the Burr team in your 
classes ? ” 

“ Yes, sir, every one.” 

“ Do they all take Latin ? ” 

“ I don’t know. I can’t say as to that.” 

“ All I have said is that Malarkey is not in any 
of my classes.” 

“ That may be only a quibble.” 

Ward was angry at the implied sneer, but he was 
silent, though when he glanced at Jack, and as he 
saw the expression of anger on the face of his friend, 
he smiled. 

“ I am not the registrar of the school, Mr. Low,” 
Ward said quietly. “ If you want to look up Ma- 
larkey or any one else, why don’t you go to him ? ” 

“ Because I’d rather come to you.” 

“ Why?” 

“ You are more interested in the team. You have 
coached it, and know all the ins and outs. It has 
been reported that Malarkey is — is not a bona fide 


196 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Student at Weston. If you will give me your word 
that he is, why Fll not go any further. Your word 
will satisfy me and all our team too.'’ 

“ Look here, Mr. Low," spoke up Jack, whose im- 
patience had become by this time uncontrollable, al- 
though he had kept silence throughout the interview. 
“ I’m an old Weston boy, and I helped coach the 
team, at least I put in one day’s work on it. I’d 
like very much to know what grounds you have for 
suspecting Malarkey.’’ 

“ I don’t think I need to explain — anyway, to you, 
for you are not connected now with either school, 
whatever your former relation may have been.’’ 

“ By what right do you speak for the Burr team ? ’’ 
retorted Jack quickly. 

I am a teacher.’’ 

“ Who sent you here ? ’’ 

** The team — the boys wanted me to find out.’’ 

Very well. Now what makes you ask about 
Malarkey ? ’’ 

“ Because it’s reported that he hasn’t been enrolled 
here a week.’’ 

“ I can’t say whether that’s true or not,’’ said 
Jack soberly. “ But suppose I find out that the 
charge is true — what then?’’ 

“ We’ll protest him,’’ said Mr. Low angrily. 
“We won’t stand for such work. To ring in a 
player like that ’’ 

“ Hold on a minute, Mr. Low,’’ interrupted Jack 
quickly. “ I can’t say, as I told you, whether Ma- 


QUESTION AND QUESTION I97 

larkey has been registered one week or a hundred 
years, for I have just come up from New York. 
But I don’t believe the Burrs will protest Malarkey, 
at least they won’t on the grounds you name.” 

“ We most certainly shall.” 

Jack laughed in a way that was tantalizing, and 
Mr. Low was instantly angered. His attitude, 
however, seemed only to provide a fresh source of 
amusement for Jack, who laughed again, but still 
did not speak. 

Why do you think we won’t protest him ? ” 
demanded Mr. Low sharply. 

“ Because you won’t think it best.” 

Why not ? ” again demanded the angry Burr 
teacher. 

“ Let me suppose a case,” began Jack ; mind you, 
I do not say whether it is true or not, I’m just citing 
a supposititious case, that’s all. But in this case, just 
fancy the effect of a protest, at least of such a pro- 
test as you offer, if Malarkey should make an affi- 
davit — duly sworn to before a justice and attested 
properly by competent witnesses — that before he 
decided to enter Weston he was approached by cer- 
tain representatives of another school — we’ll say the 
Burr School, merely as a matter of illustration, and 
not as a matter of fact, of course — and that certain 
inducements of a pecuniary nature were alluringly 
set forth to him. If all you allege or imply were 
true, Mr. Low — mind you, I am merely citing a sup- 
posititious case and not a case of fact, though that 


198 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

might not be so difficult — don’t you see that such a 
charge would really be more funny than anything 
the public ever read in Life or any other similar 
magazine ? ” 

“ There isn’t a word of truth in the dastardly 
charge ! ” said Mr. Low in a loud voice. 

“ Pardon me,” said Jack softly, “ but did I say 
it was true ? All I did was to cite an imaginary case. 
I spoke in the presence of a witness. You can 
readily disprove my assertion.” 

But Malarkey never was offered a cent to play 
on the Burr team ! ” 

‘‘ Unquestionably, that is true,” assented Jack in 
apparent cordiality. 

'' Then what are you talking about ? ” 

“ About an offer that was somewhat larger than 
a cent.” 

Ward smiled in spite of his mortification, and as 
the Burr teacher saw him his anger instantly in- 
creased. Ward was convinced, however, in spite of 
the loud tones of Mr. Low, that Jack’s “ supposi- 
titious citation ” had found a weak spot in the 
armor. 

Who made an offer ? Who says the Burrs 
tried to hire Malarkey? The story is made out of 
whole cloth. You can’t prove a word of it,” ex- 
claimed Mr. Low. 

Your language is forceful and clear,” said Jack 
in a low voice. “ The wayfaring man though a fool 
could not mistake its meaning. Now I’ll tell you 


QUESTION AND QUESTION 


199 


what I suggest, Mr. Low. As I told you, I came up 
only this afternoon, and I have not had any chance 
to ask Hogg, our captain, whether or not he intends 
to protest any of the Burr players; but his room is 
on the next floor of this building, and if you’ll wait 
I’ll run upstairs and get him to come down here. 
Then we can put the question straight to him 
whether every player on the Burr team is all right 
or not. I fancy he is better informed than I am in 
these matters, for I know absolutely nothing about 
them. What do you say? It seems to me this is 
the fairest way out.” 

For an instant Mr. Low hesitated. Despite his 
efforts, a smile reappeared on Ward’s face, and then 
the Burr teacher said : “ Send for him ! Let him 
come! I’m not afraid ” 

“ Very good,” broke in Jack. “ I’ll be back in 
a minute or two.” 

“ Hold on. Jack,” said Ward quickly, before his 
friend could leave the room. “ It seems to me this is 
all wrong. I don’t know any more than you do 
what Hogg will say; but, for my part. I’m not in 
favor of this. The effect on the boys isn’t likely 
to be good.” 

‘‘ I’m just trying to satisfy Mr. Low,” remarked 
Jack demurely, nevertheless halting near the door- 
way. 

What do you say, Mr. Low? ” inquired Ward of 
his visitor. 

It doesn’t seem like a very dignified affair. I’ll 


200 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


acknowledge/’ said Mr. Low, for two teachers to 
be squabbling worse than the boys. As far as I am 
concerned, I’m willing to leave it to you, Mr. Hill. 
If you say Malarkey is entitled to a place on the 
team, your word will be sufficient.” 

And if I say he is not ? ” 

We’ll still leave it to you.” 

‘‘ You are too generous, I fear. Frankly, Mr. 
Low, I do not believe Malarkey ought to be played.” 

That’s all I want,” said the Burr teacher tri- 
umphantly, as he prepared to depart. 

“ Hold on a minute, Mr. Low,” laughed Ward ; 

I’m not done yet.” 

“ But you said Malarkey had no right to play,” 
said Mr. Low as he stood facing Ward and Jack. 

“ Not quite that,” said Ward quietly. ‘‘ What I 
said was that I, personally, did not believe that Ma- 
larkey had a right to a place on the Weston team; 
but that is only my opinion, and is not very gen- 
erally shared by the school. Technically, Malarkey 
has been enrolled, and I understand has duly re- 
ported in certain classes.” 

“ How long since he was enrolled ? ” 

'' Only a few days.” 

“ And yet you are going to let him play ? ” The 
confidence of the visitor apparently was restored, 
and a partly concealed sneer appeared on his face. 

“ Mr. Low,” broke in Jack, who had remained 
standing, “ will you give us your word that every 
player on the Burr team is straight?” 


QUESTION AND QUESTION 


201 


Every player is a regularly enrolled student in 
the Burr School.” 

'' That is hardly a direct reply,” suggested Jack 
smoothly. 

“ It is the truth.” 

“ Every fellow has been enrolled from the begin 
ning of the fall term ? ” 

“ Almost every one.” 

Who came later ? ” 

“ Only one — or two. I don’t know that I cai% 
say ” 

Do you think Hogg would be likely to know ? 
Shall I call him ? ” asked Jack demurely, once more 
moving toward the door. 

“ Don’t, Jack. We’ll not call Hogg. I don’t 
exactly see, Mr. Low,” Ward added, turning again 
to his caller, just how the matter can be settled, 
unless it was not one — or two — of your best players 
that entered late, and both schools agree to allow 
only the boys who have been in attendance through- 
out the fall term to take part in the game, and even 
that might be hard to arrange now. Was it one — 
or two — of your best players that entered late, Mr. 
Low?” 

They are good players.” 

“ How late did the latest enter? ” asked Jack. 

I can’t say — exactly.” 

‘‘A month ago?” 

“ I should think so — perhaps, not quite,” Mr. 
Low added, a trifle lamely. Jack’s laugh was so 


202 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


hearty, and withal so good-natured, that the flush 
on Mr. Low’s cheeks died away, and he too laughed, 
though it was manifest that his pleasure was some- 
what forced. 

“ It isn’t wise for the pot to call the kettle black. 
When one lives in a glass house he must be cautious 
as to the way he throws stones. The truth of the 
matter is that we’re both tarred with the same stick.” 

“ But I don’t want you to think we offered Ma- 
larkey money,” said Mr. Low hastily. 

“ Oh, we don’t think so — not for a minute,” 
laughed Jack. “ It wasn’t money — that is, it wasn’t 
exactly so many dollars and cents. It was a rose 
by another name — only it was still fragrant.” 

Mr. Low’s anger threatened to rise again, and as 
Ward observed it he said quickly, “ Of course, we 
don’t believe you or any other teacher in Burr had 
anything to do with it, any more than you think I 
or any other Weston teacher was aware at the be- 
ginning of what was going on here. Rightly, I 
don’t think Malarkey ought to play to-morrow. 
Technically he is an enrolled student; I am sorry. 
I don’t believe in it at all. It’s poison in the school 
life. It is bad — bad in every way. I have said so, 
and the boys know; and they don’t like it, or me 
either. I’m afraid. It may cost me my place before 
I’m done.” 

I’ll acknowledge that I don’t like it any more 
than you do,” said Mr. Low. But what can you 
do about it? If you oppose it you have the school — 


QUESTION AND QUESTION 


203 


the teachers as well as the boys — down on you. 
What do you think can be done ? ” 

I don’t know,” said Ward thoughtfully. I 
wish I did. I don’t want to be a martyr. It’s 
wrong — the whole thing is wrong. I’ve a sugges- 
tion Come in ! ” Ward suddenly stopped as a 

rap on the door was heard, and in response to the 
summons Hogg entered the room. His face was 
flushed with anger, and as he faced the young 
teacher he apparently ignored the presence of the 
other two men in the room. 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE SPIDER 

I GNORING the presence in the room of Mr. 

Low, and instantly cheered as he became aware 
of the fact that Jack was also there, Hogg broke 
forth loudly, '' Do you know, Mr. Hill, what the 
Burrs have done ? ’’ 

“ No.” 

Well, they’ve been at their crooked work again ! 
They have roped in * The Spider.’ ” 

“ The Spider ? I don’t quite understand you.” 

“ He’s a prizefighter from Boston.” 

'' How did you find out ? ” 

“ Malarkey told me ” 

“ Are you sure he knows ? ” 

Yes, sir. Of course he knows. He saw the 
' go ’ between The Spider and Young James, and 
The Spider won out in the third round.” 

“ It may not be the same fellow. It’s possible 
Malarkey is mistaken.” 

'' He knows what he’s talking about, all right. 
And you, Mr. Hill, have preached to us about our 
letting Malarkey in! What do you think of the 
Burrs? Getting a prizefighter to play on their 
team ! ” 


204 


THE SPIDER 


205 


“ I should want to be sure there wasn’t any mis- 
take before I said very much to any one about it.” 

“ I guess Malarkey knows.” 

“ What is The Spider’s name ? ” 

“ Donovan. Mike Donovan.” 

“ Mr. Hogg, let me introduce you to Mr. Low,” 
Ward said, as he presented the angry captain to 
his visitor. • “ Mr. Low is a teacher in the Burr 
school.” 

There was an awkward silence in the room for a 
brief time, and the only one present who seemed to 
find any enjoyment in the scene was Jack Hobart, 
whose eyes were shining in his interest and excite- 
ment. 

Hogg recovered his composure in a moment, and 
angrily facing Mr. Low, said : “ You heard what 
I said.” 

“ Yes, I heard you,” replied Mr. Low. 

‘‘Well, what do you say about it?” 

“ About what ? ” 

“ Your team working in The Spider.” 

“ I never heard that name given to any of our 
players.” Mr. Low’s confusion was manifest, and 
Jack’s smile broadened as he watched the Burr 
teacher. 

“How about Donovan, then? Mike Donovan?” 

“ One of our team is named Donovan.” 

“ Where does he come from ? ” demanded Hogg 
triumphantly. 

“ I think his home is in Boston.” 


206 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


I don’t think — I know it is.” 

“Then you can be more positive than I,” said 
Mr. Low sharply. The interview was not pleasing 
to the Burr teacher, and he glanced several times at 
the door as if he was eager to be gone. 

“ Is he a regular student at Burr?” asked Hogg 
loudly. 

“ He has been regularly enrolled.” 

“ What course does he take ? ” 

“ I am of the opinion — I can hardly speak posi- 
tively for I do not have him in any of my classes — 
that he is taking a course of study very similar to 
that which Malarkey of your team is following.” 

There was a silence again in the room for a mo- 
ment and then Jack’s loud laugh relieved the ten- 
sion. Mr. Low’s face betrayed his triumph, and 
even Hogg was nonplussed. Ward was the only one 
who apparently was in anywise seriously troubled 
by what had been said. 

“ Malarkey isn’t a prizefighter,” said Hogg a 
trifle lamely. 

“ Isn’t he ? ” responded Mr. Low. 

“ No, sir. Mr. Hill,” said Hogg, “ what do you 
think? Do you really believe we ought to go up 
against such a team ? ” 

“ Mr. Hill has already explained to me that he 
has opposed some of the men playing on the Wes- 
ton team,” spoke up Mr. Low quickly. “ And yet 
you are going to play them. I don’t see what you 
can say now.” 


THE SPIDER 


207 


Hogg turned angrily upon Ward, his appearance 
betraying a rage that was almost beyond his power 
to control. He swallowed with difficulty, but before 
he could speak Ward said quietly, “ How would it 
do, Hogg, for you and the captain of the Burr team 
to get together and agree that neither Malarkey nor 
Donovan shall play in the game to-morrow ? ” 

“ It wouldn’t do at all ! ” said Hogg loudly. 
“ Malarkey is a member of the team and a scholar 
in the Weston school.” 

“ And Donovan is a scholar in the Burr school, 
and taking a course of study the same as Malarkey 
is,” said Mr. Low. 

“ But he isn’t a prizefighter.” 

“Isn’t he?” inquired Mr. Low softly. 

“ No, sir, he isn’t ! I don’t believe my father 
would allow me to play against such a team if he 
knew it. But I’m not a quitter. We’ll let it go 
and take our chances. Good night, sir ! ” Hogg at 
once withdrew from the room, and Jack laughed as 
he slammed to the door after him. 

“What’s to be done?” inquired Ward of Mr. 
Low. 

“ I don’t see that anything can be done — now. 
It’s too late.” 

“ But if this fellow Donovan is really a prize- 
fighter ” 

“ I don’t believe he is,” interrupted Mr. Low 
quickly. “ I have never heard a word of such a 
thing. He is a very quiet fellow ” 


2o8 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ He’s The Spider all right,” broke in Jack. 

“Are you sure? I don’t see how you can be 
positive, Mr. Hobart,” said Mr. Low. 

“ Hogg knew what he was talking about.” 

“ It’s disgraceful,” said Ward. 

“ Oh, I don’t know,” laughed Jack. “ It isn’t 
the first and only. Every fellow on the Weston 
team is straight as a string, with the possible ex- 
ception of Malarkey, and he’s not so bad. At least, 
he might be worse. How is it with you, Mr. Low ? 
Is The Spider the only lame duck? ” 

“ Donovan is the only one — almost the only one ” 
— Mr. Low corrected himself — “concerning whom 
any question at all could be raised.” 

“ ‘ Almost one ’ — does that mean two or three ? ” 
laughed Jack. 

“ If the game is played this year — ^to-morrow’s 
game I mean — who knows what the effect on the 
boys will probably be ? ” 

“ Oh, Donovan will play according to the rules,” 
said Mr. Low quickly. 

“ He’ll have to, or he’ll be put out of the game,” 
retorted Jack dryly. 

“ It isn’t this year alone that I’m afraid of,” said 
Ward. “ If this fall each team can work in out- 
siders, what will be done next year? We’re just 
putting a premium on the worst side of school life.” 

Mr. Low nodded his head in acquiescence, but 
did not speak. 

“ I’m afraid. Ward, you’ll have to change the 


THE SPIDER 


209 


nature of boys first/’ suggested Jack. “ It’s human 
nature to want to win, and as long as that is so I 
don’t exactly see what you are going to do about it.” 

“ Mr. Low,” said Ward warmly, “ something must 
be done. I don’t see that we can alter the condi- 
tions for to-morrow, for neither school is in just 
the proper condition to protest, though if I could 
have my way I would rule off both Malarkey and 
Donovan.” 

“ So would I. I am sick of this work.” 

“ If I will try to change conditions here will you 
do the same at Burr? ” asked Ward eagerly. 

I don’t see what I can do,” replied Mr. Low 
slowly. The sentiment of the school is against 
us just the minute we take such a stand as you sug- 
gest, and we are tied hands and feet.” 

“ We can try, can’t we? ” 

“ Yes,” said Mr. Low dubiously. “ I’d like to 
see it done. There’s no doubt it’s bad now. It 
absorbs the time, thought, and even the energy of 
the boys. And I agree with you that it affects the 
whole life of the school. It’s like poison, as you 
said. If a team can be crooked and win, and the 
school ignores everything but the victory, why, it 
is sure to show itself in a good many other ways 
besides.” 

That’s what it does ! It puts a premium on 
dishonesty.” 

“ We can’t change it.” 

We might try,” Ward once more suggested, 
o 


210 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


My mother and my two sisters are dependent on 
me.” 

Ward was silent a moment before he spoke again. 
Here was an additional and perplexing element in 
the problem. When a teacher, whose salary doubt- 
less was small, had others looking to him for sup- 
port, and he knew that to stand against the prevail- 
ing sentiment of his school might cost him his 
position, it certainly was asking much of such a one 
to expect him to incur even the suffering of the 
needy or the weak. 

“ Tve an idea,” spoke up Jack suddenly. 

“ What is it?” 

“ ril tell you after the game to-morrow. As I 
understand it, no protest is to be made by either 
side in to-morrow’s game.” 

“ Neither side is in a position to do that.” 

‘‘ Then the game will be played with each team 
made up as it is now. That’s all right. That’s the 
best way out. I’ll tell you my plan to-morrow.” 

The following day dawned clear and cool, an 
ideal day for the game. Long before the hour of 
the contest came, the seats and most of the standing- 
room in the field had been filled by the crowds of 
excited partisans of either team. Automobiles, car- 
riages, coaches — conveyances of various descrip- 
tion and of almost every kind were to be seen along 
the road leading to Weston, or lined up along the 
main street of the little village, or left near the 


THE SPIDER 


2II 


athletic field which was distant a half-mile from the 
school buildings. Flags, the colors of the rival 
schools, bright-colored streamers were to be seen in 
whatever direction one chanced to look. Fathers 
and mothers of the players, friends of the students, 
“ old grads,” boys who hoped to enter the following 
year, girls who were among the most intense sup- 
porters of the teams, teachers from each school, the 
student body of each institution, for whom seats 
had been reserved in the cheering section on either 
side of the field, all were there, and it would have 
been difficult to decide in which body the strongest 
or even the loudest enthusiasm was to be found. 

The sight was indeed a stirring one, and when 
Ward and Jack took their seats a full half-hour be- 
fore the beginning of the game, both were sharing 
in the excitement of the great crowd. 

“ Now aren’t you sorry you ever said anything 
about Malarkey?” asked Jack lightly, as he per- 
ceived the interest of his friend. 

Ward smiled in response, but did not speak. 

I know what you are wishing,” said Jack. 

“ What?” 

“ That we had three Malarkeys instead of only 
one.” 

Ward laughed and shook his head. “ There 
comes the Burr team,” he said quickly, as the play- 
ers, keeping well together, ran out upon the field. A 
mighty shout from the Burr contingent greeted the 
defenders of this school, as the stalwart players 


212 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


quickly assumed their places on one side of the 
field, and at once began to practise their formations. 

“ A husky bunch,” remarked Jack seriously. 

Our boys have their work cut out for them to-day. 
I wonder which is The Spider ? ” 

We’ll know as soon as the game begins.” 
There comes our team ! ” 

The appearance of the Weston eleven was greeted 
by a shout even louder and more prolonged than 
their rivals had received, and both Jack and Ward 
became silent as the team speedily began to form. 

“ Our team looks a little bigger. Ward,” Jack 
murmured. 

“ Not any heavier, though.” 

“ I wish now Malarkey had been put in the line.” 
The line can get along without him. He’s a 
great halfback.” 

“ Wish he wasn’t going to play ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Honestly?” 

‘‘ I wish Donovan and he were both off.” 

Jack laughed, and for a brief time they both 
watched the rival elevens without comment. Ma- 
larkey loomed large among the Weston players, and 
it was manifest that he was the center of obser- 
vation. The fact that the time for beginning the 
game had almost arrived served to increase the 
excitement of the assembly, and there were no noisy 
demonstrations now. 

A few minutes later, however, when the two 


THE SPIDER 


213 


elevens assumed their positions, facing each other, 
and it was seen that the Burrs had the kick-off, the 
pent-up feelings could no longer be restrained. As 
the whistle sounded, a mighty cheer from the Burr 
side of the field was answered in kind by Weston, 
and the game started. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE GAME 


HOARSE cry arose from the supporters of 



the Burr players when the ball went spinning 
down the field. The kick had been low, and the 
football was twisting almost like a thing alive. 
It sped along the ground directly toward Greenway, 
the quarterback of the Weston team, and in his 
eagerness to grasp the elusive object he dropped it. 
A shout as sharp and quick as the report of a gun 
greeted the fumble, and the silence among the 
Weston supporters was eloquent. Something like a 
groan was heard as the Burr team darted swiftly 
down the field. 

Greenway, however, had quickly recovered, and 
seizing the ball he dodged and evaded the out- 
stretched hands of the Burr players, twisting, 
squirming, sometimes with his back to the enemy; 
and then turning again, supported as he was by his 
companions, he at last brought the ball back within 
fifteen yards of the kick-off. But the ball was now 
well within the Weston territory, and the confidence 
of the Burrs was manifest as they lined up pre- 
paratory to receiving the onslaught of their rivals. 

There was a hasty whispered consultation be- 


214 


THE GAME 215 

tween Hogg and Smith, the center of the team, and 
then the Weston players quickly formed. 

‘‘ One - seven - ninety - eight, six-fourteen,” called 
Greenway, as for an instant he glanced behind him, 
and then he passed the ball, as soon as it was 
snapped back, to the outstretched hands of Malarkey. 

The halfback received it, and then ducking his 
head charged against the right tackle of the op- 
ponents. 

“ Look at that ! Look at that, will you ? I guess 
that’s gaining some ! ” shouted Jack, as he leaped 
to his feet, an example which instantly was followed 
by the entire yelling contingent. Malarkey darted 
through the opening in the line which his comrades 
had formed, and shaking off the Burr players that 
strove to cling to him, carried the ball until he had 
gained thirty yards before he was downed. 

Burr ! Burr ! She can’t play ball ; 

Not a bit do we care! Not a bit do we care! 

The refrain was taken up by the entire body of 
the Weston supporters, who had risen like one man 
to their feet in their excitement. 

little hasty. I’m afraid,” said Ward to his 
friend, although he too was standing, and plainly 
was as excited as any of the spectators. 

“ Take it as it comes,” murmured Jack, without 
turning his head. The players had lined up quickly, 
and once more the Weston center was about to snap 
back the ball. 


2I6 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Nineteen-twenty-one-twenty-three, six-sixteen,” 
called out Greenway with deliberation. Indeed, his 
coolness seemed almost irritating to the excited 
spectators, who were so still now that the voice of 
the quarterback sounded plainly all over the field. 

Grasping the ball, Greenway passed it to Hogg, 
the fullback, and like a huge machine in motion he 
plunged forward. The line, however, was almost 
like a stone wall, and a mass of players fell upon 
Hogg, and the referee’s assistance was required be- 
fore the mass was untangled. When Hogg emerged 
from the bottom of the pile he instantly sprang to 
his feet, and looking about him doubled up his fists 
and started fiercely toward one of the Burr players. 
Before the angry captain was able to do any dam- 
age, however, his own comrades threw themselves 
upon him, and he was led back to his place. It was 
manifest that he was furiously angry, and derisive 
calls and jibes greeted him from the Burr seats. 

That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Ward in a low 
voice to Jack. “ Hogg has not learned the a b c’s of 
self-control.” 

You didn’t see it.” 

'' Didn’t see what ? ” 

“ The fine work of The Spider. At least I fancy 
it was The Spider.” 

‘^What did he do?” 

“ Fell on Hogg with his knee.” 

I didn’t see it.” 

I did,” retorted Jack. 



One of the Burr players seized the ball and 
sped toward the Weston goal.” 


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THE GAME 


217 


Once more the quarterback slowly gave his sig- 
nals, and the ball was passed again to Hogg, who 
this time endeavored to skirt the ends. His efforts, 
however, were unrewarded with success, for he 
was downed without gaining a yard, and the play 
was certainly well done, as even Jack acknowledged. 

‘‘ Third down,” he whispered. “ They ought 
to kick. They’re not going to,” he added, “ or else 
it’s a fake.” 

The Weston team was drawn in, a tandem forma- 
tion was made, and then as the ball was snapped 
back it was seen that Bullock had it, but he had not 
gone far before he made a long pass with it to Ma- 
larkey, who had run swiftly to one side of the field. 

Too early for that ! ” exclaimed Jack angrily. 
“ What did they try it for ? They might know 
some one would fumble. It’s too hard as well as 
too early. There ! What did I tell you ? ” he ex- 
claimed sharply as Malarkey fumbled, and then al- 
most before any one knew what had occurred one of 
the Burr players seized the ball and sped with almost 
a clear field before him toward the Weston goal. 

The Burr supporters were all standing now, and 
banners were waved and the shouts and cries were 
almost deafening. The Weston people were also 
standing, but they were silent, as they watched, 
almost with agony, the little Burr player who was 
running as if his very life depended upon his efforts. 

Malarkey had recovered himself, and with huge 
strides was following the runner while Hogg was 


2i8 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


running in a diagonal direction in the hope of head- 
ing off the player before he would be able to cross 
the line. 

The Burr player gained the twenty-five-yard line 
before he was downed, and when he was thrown 
both Malarkey and Hogg viciously cast themselves 
upon him. When the teams gained the place some 
one of the Burr eleven seized the huge Malarkey and 
threw him to the ground behind him. When Hogg 
arose it was seen that the Burr player was writhing 
on the ground, and murmurs of indignation, and 
even some cries of “ Shame ! ” “ Put him out ! ” 

were heard from the spectators. The excitement in 
a measure was calmed when one of the officials 
spoke in a low voice to Hogg, and that player re- 
turned to his place on the field. 

'' I don’t like it. I’m afraid of trouble,” said 
Ward anxiously. 

“ Pooh ! Football isn’t a game for girls,” retorted 
Jack. 

Ward did not reply, and in a few moments the 
Burr player had recovered and the game was re- 
sumed, with the interest of the spectators even more 
tense than before. 

He had his breath knocked out of him,” said 
Jack; “that’s all. What troubles me is that the 
Burrs have the ball on our twenty-five-yard line. 
If they don’t make a touchdown or get a goal from 
the field then I’ll think our fellows have more of a 
show. There they go,” he added hastily, as after a 


THE GAME 


219 


quick formation one of the Burr players was seen 
with the ball trying to pass Mayo, one of the Wes- 
ton ends. 

“ Hi ! Hi ! ” shouted Jack, unmindful of his sur- 
roundings, as he leaped to his feet. “ Show what 
you’re made of Mayo ! Nail him ! Nail him ! ” he 
added in a louder call just as Mayo tackled the 
runner and threw him without a gain. 

“ That’s the way ! That’s the wa-ay ! ” called 
Jack encouragingly, as if Mayo could hear what 
was said. “ My coaching wasn’t for nothing, 
Ward,” he added as he glanced at his friend. 

Ward was silent, but he was anxiously watch- 
ing the next play. It was true the stalwart Burr 
eleven had failed to gain, but the ball still was on 
the twenty-five-yard line, and directly in front of 
the goal posts. An attempt to kick a goal from 
the field would be fraught with danger to Weston, 
and Ward was breathlessly watching the movements 
of the Burrs. 

Once more the formation hurled itself against 
the Weston eleven, but the onslaught failed to gain 
more than two yards. The Weston line was re- 
sponding to the long-drawn-out cry of their sup- 
porters, “ Hold ’em, Weston ! Hold ’em, Weston ! ” 
But the ball was still in the possession of their op- 
ponents, and the danger of a goal from the field 
was imminent. 

In a moment it became plain that Burr was to 
make the attempt. The players scattered and the 


220 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


fullback dropped back for a kick. Into his out- 
stretched hands the ball was accurately passed and 
safely held, and then he instantly prepared for his 
attempt. 

Again a hush fell over the great assembly as the 
player’s foot struck the ball. The Weston boys had 
failed to break through the line, and the Burr 
player had made his kick without being molested. 
The ball rose into the air, and it seemed as if it must 
pass between the posts. A yell arose from the Burr 
side of the field at what seemed to be a certain score, 
and the opposite side was breathing hard as they 
watched the ball. 

Suddenly the ball struck one of the goal posts, 
rebounded, and fell to the ground. ‘‘ Yah ! Ya-a-a-h ! 
Hi-i-i-i ! ” shouted the Weston supporters in their 
relief. The attempt to score had failed, and the 
ball once n^ore was in the possession of the Weston 
eleven. 

When the game was resumed it soon became ap- 
parent that the players were beginning to show the 
effects of the strain and excitement. The plunges 
apparently were as hard and desperate as before, 
but the streaming faces and the feebler resistance 
alike indicated that both sides would eagerly wel- 
come the interval between the halves, which soon 
would be due. 

“ I don’t think you need to worry very much over 
Malarkey’s playing,” Jack said to Ward; he hasn’t 
done very much yet.” 


THE GAME 


221 


“ Wait/’ was all that Ward said in reply. 

“ You think our fellows are saving him till the 
other team has weakened ? ” 

“ Looks like it.” 

“ That’s good generalship on Hogg’s part. It 
looks as if the Burrs were saving their pet too, for 
the very same reason. If The Spider has been 
doing his best, he isn’t such a terror after all. I 
haven’t been able to pick him out for sure even yet ; 
have you. Ward ? ” 

Jack did not wait for a reply to his question, for 
at that moment the ball, which had steadily been 
carried up the field by the Weston team, who had 
been working desperately, was now inside the Burrs’ 
twenty-five-yard line, and it was evident that Hogg 
was about to repeat his opponent’s attempt to kick 
a goal from the field. It was the third down, for 
the Burrs had rallied and were holding well. 

Quickly Hogg dropped back to receive the ball ; 
and when he kicked it, without any question it 
sailed gracefully between the posts, and the goal 
was won. 

The delirium of the Westons, however, was not 
long-lived, for soon after the teams had reversed 
their positions, and the game was renewed, some- 
how, in a manner which no one afterward was able 
to explain, the Burr halfback broke through the 
Weston line and, with practically a clear field be- 
fore him, was running for the goal line. Instantly 
the assembly was standing, shouting, calling, wa- 


222 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


ving its banners, and each contingent was madly 
calling upon its players to do more. 

The Burr runner, however, could not be over- 
taken, and squarely behind the goal posts he placed 
the ball. It was a touchdown, unquestioned, and 
worthily won, and the enthusiasm of the eleven was 
as great as that of their supporters when, a minute 
afterward, the goal was kicked and Burr was ahead 
in the score. 

Before the game could be resumed, however, the 
whistle was blown, and the first half of the desper- 
ately fought contest was ended. 

“ Come on, we’ll go to the dressing-room and give 
the boys a point or two,” said Jack, as he eagerly 
bade Ward follow him. 

Ward departed with his friend, and when they 
entered the room where the players were resting, 
some of them being sponged and others being upon 
their backs, Hogg was angrily giving expression 
to his feelings. 

“ The time was up two minutes before the 
whistle,” he was saying loudly. 

“ That touchdown and goal ought not to be 
counted ! They’re trying to rob us ! ” 

“Never mind, Hogg,” said Ward soothingly; 
“ you’re doing well. You’ll win in the second half.” 

Turning abruptly from the young teacher and 
ignoring his words, the Weston captain faced Jack 
and said, “ I’m glad you’re here, Mr. Hobart. I 
want to ask you a question.” 


CHAPTER XXIV 


THE FINISH 

T here was a long whispered conversation be- 
tween Hogg and Jack Hobart, which Ward 
was unable to hear. Indeed, it was only too mani- 
fest to him that he was being ignored by all the 
players, even Bullock, who ordinarily was very 
friendly, apparently having nothing now to say to 
the young teacher. 

The brief interval of rest was manifestly of ad- 
vantage to the players, and when Ward and Jack 
returned to their seats they saw both teams come 
running out to the field as if they were eager for 
the great assembly to see that neither was any the 
worse for the struggle that had been made. 

“ This half tells the story,” remarked Jack when 
the game was resumed. 

“ Yes,” replied Ward absently. His heart was 
heavy and his feeling of mortification was keen, 
although, apparently, Jack had not noted the rebufif 
which he had received in the dressing-room. After 
all he had done to help in coaching the team, it was 
bitter for Ward to feel that his best eflforts had not 
only not been appreciated, but that he himself was 
manifestly an object of dislike to the boys. So de- 

223 


224 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


pressed was he by the conviction that his work in 
Weston was destined to fail, that the shouts of the 
assembly sounded dim and far away, and even the 
desperate nature of the struggle into which the two 
teams now entered failed for a time to withdraw his 
thoughts from his own wretched feelings. Abashed, 
mortified, perplexed; his most sincere purposes wil- 
fully misunderstood, it seemed to Ward at the time 
as if the misery he was suffering was greater than 
he could bear. 

Even Jack appeared to be indifferent, or at least 
unaware, which was even worse. He was follow- 
ing the game with an interest so intense that all else 
was forgotten or ignored. He seldom glanced at his 
friend, and still more seldom spoke. An occasional 
low exclamation escaped him, but it was spoken 
because of some misplay or lack of judgment on the 
part of the team whose actions he was watching 
with an interest so intense that it was painful. 

“ They’re working Malarkey more, and they need 
him,” said Jack, after a hard line-plunge which 
netted two yards. 

“ Yes,” replied Ward absently. 

“ I think The Spider is doing his share,” con- 
tinued Jack, as the Burr eleven regained the ball on 
their forty-yard line. 

“ Yes.” 

What’s the matter with you. Ward? ” demanded 
Jack abruptly, as he turned sharply to his friend. 

Nothing.” 


THE FINISH 


225 


“ Yes, there is too. What is it ? Jack did not 
wait for a further word; but, leaping to his feet, 
joined in the wild shout that arose from the Wes- 
ton supporters when Malarkey tackled the Burr 
runner for a loss of three yards. A moment later 
the shout was redoubled when the same Burr player 
was again tackled hard by Malarkey and dropped 
the ball. In an instant Malarkey had seized it, and 
was speeding down the field pursued by the entire 
Burr team. 

The assembly now had risen, and with intense 
interest was following the boys in their mad race. 
Shouts and one continued prolonged and shrill cry 
urged on the pursuers and pursued. Nearer and 
nearer the goal line drew Malarkey, and just before 
he gained the coveted line The Spider tackled and 
threw him. Even when the two players fell to the 
ground the grasp of each on the other was not re- 
laxed, and it was only when the other members of 
the team, themselves, tore the angry players apart 
that the game could be resumed. 

“That's the worst I ever saw on the Weston 
field ! " said Jack angrily. “ I wonder what kind 
of officials we have to-day, anyway? That fellow 
ought to be ruled off ! " 

“ Wasn't that what he was — what they expected 
him to do?" asked Ward. 

“ Wasn't it what ? Now's the time! Only three 
yards to gain! If our boys can't make that they 
ought to lose the game ! That's right ! That com- 

p 


226 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


bination of Malarkey, Hogg, and Bullock ought to 
be able to tear a hole in a brick wall ! There ! There 
they go ! ” Jack added in a shout, as he sprang to his 
feet and peered eagerly at the massed lines near the 
Burr goal. 

A groan escaped his lips when it was seen that the 
Burr line held and no gain had been made. The 
second attempt met with no better success. The 
teams were breathing heavily — panting almost like 
dogs. The officials were striving to gain a position 
where every move could be seen. The spectators 
were not less excited than the players, and the 
knowledge that what might prove to be the crisis 
of the game had arrived, made the very intensity 
of the desperate players something which every 
watcher shared; for every one was feeling as if he 
must help in the plunge or assist in the last eflfort 
to withstand the terrific onslaught. 

The Weston eleven quickly assumed their posi- 
tions, and when it was seen that instead of a kick 
another effort was to be made to push Malarkey 
across the near-by line, Jack said : “ Mistake ! They 

ought not to try it. A kick is the only Hi-i-i-i ! ” 

he suddenly broke out, as the mass of players was 
again untangled and it was seen that Malarkey lay 
directly upon the line, his hands clasping the ball, 
which was at least a foot behind the line. “ That’s 
the wa-a-ay ! Malarkey ! Malarkey ! Malarkey ! ” 
were among the cries that could be heard from the 
Weston supporters as their representatives took their 


THE FINISH 


227 


places in front of the goal post for the kick. The 
Burr players, cast down but not yet hopeless, lined 
up, and when Hogg sent the ball straight and true 
for a goal, the entire stands on the Weston side 
became a mass of waving banners and hats, while 
the hoarse shouts apparently were louder and more 
prolonged than any that had been heard that day. 

Can’t be more than six or seven minutes of play 
left,” said Jack, as he glanced anxiously at his watch. 
“ A game isn’t won till it’s done. What would you 
advise now, Ward ? ” 

“ A defensive game entirely. Hold the score, 
that’s all.” 

I thought you’d wake up again,” laughed Jack. 

I haven’t been asleep.” 

“ Haven’t you ? ” Jack was too deeply interested 
in the game to ask any further questions, and even 
Ward was in a measure aroused as he too stood up 
beside his friend and excitedly watched the players. 

Hogg’s first kick went out of bounds, and the 
ball had to be returned. 

He’s doing it all right,” grinned Jack de- 
lightedly. 

Doing what? ” 

“ What you advised.” 

Again the Weston captain sent the ball spinning 
down the field, and this time The Spider grasped 
it and, bending low, began to run. Mayo was upon 
him in a moment, but as he attempted to tackle the 
running player he suddenly was sent sprawling and 


228 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


fell to the ground, where he lay twisting and turn- 
ing, and manifestly in great pain; but no one gave 
any heed to him. On sped The Spider, and Bullock, 
who was the next to try to stop him, fared no better 
than his teammate, for he too fell headlong and did 
not rise. 

“Stop him! Head him off ! Tackle him I Why 

don’t you ” Jack was shouting hoarsely and 

waving his arms wildly as he called to the Weston 
players, acting as if he believed his words could be 
heard above the tumultuous shoutings. 

Apparently Donovan, or The Spider, did not re- 
quire any encouragement, for he was running 
swiftly and was throwing off those who tried to 
tackle him as easily as if such action required no 
effort on his part. He had covered forty yards in 
his run when Malarkey and Mayo were the only 
ones of the Weston team who seemed to be able to 
do anything in the way of heading the stockily built 
player with the ball. Mayo was in front of the 
runner and Malarkey was not far behind, when 
suddenly Mayo threw himself on the ground directly 
in front of the runner, and at the same moment Ma- 
larkey heavily threw himself upon Donovan and 
with so strong and determined a tackle that he 
bore him to the ground. 

The action was greeted by a wild shout from the 
Weston side, but it was not equal in volume to the 
prolonged cry of delight that arose from the op- 
posite side of the field; for Burr had gained more 


THE FINISH 


229 


than forty yards in the play and Donovan was the 
hero. 

“ Looks as if they had been saving him,” said 
Jack demurely, as he glanced for an instant at 
Ward. I was afraid of it. They ought to put him 
out of the game. He struck Mayo and Bullock with 
his fist.” 

“ They are not going to,” said Ward, as the game 
was delayed for a brief time, until Mayo and 
Bullock had recovered. 

They will work him all the time now.” 

Ward did not speak, and in the excitement which 
was its highest point now, because the game was 
drawing near to its end, he was forgetting, in a 
measure, the troubles that beset him. 

“ Mayo is out of the game,” said Jack excitedly. 
“ I wonder what the trouble is. The poor chap is 
protesting and crying,” he added, as it was seen 
that some of his teammates were leading the injured 
player from the ground. “ I’m going down to find 
out what is up.” 

As Ward instantly followed his friend, they both 
ran and overtook the nearly exhausted player, and 
in response to Jack’s question, Hogg said, The 
Spider did him up. I’m afraid Mayo’s collar-bone 
is broken. It’s the rankest work ever seen on the 
Weston grounds ! ” he added angrily. 

In response to Ward’s suggestion that he would 
go with Mayo and try to find some physician, Hogg 
said gruffly, That’s all right, Mr. Hill, but Carl- 


i2^0 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

ton will go. You needn’t trouble yourself. I’ll 
have to get back in the game.” 

As the captain of the Weston eleven ran back to 
the field, and Carlton and a friend at once took 
charge of Mayo, Ward and Jack returned to the 
ropes, although Ward’s interest in the game was 
nearly gone. His friend’s excitement, however, was 
so keen that he did not heed the depression of the 
young teacher, and both stood side by side watching 
the few remaining minutes of play. 

Again the Burrs made use of Donovan, who ap- 
parently was ready for the fray. Once more the 
ball was passed to him, and he plunged through the 
weakened Weston team, throwing them aside and 
making a gain of seven yards before he was 
downed. 

“ Hold him, Weston ! Hold him, Weston ! ” came 
as a prolonged and appealing cry from the sup- 
porters of the school. A corresponding cheer of en- 
couragement arose from the friends of Burr, and 
the closing moments of the game were well-nigh 
tragic in the efforts of the players and the hoarse 
shouting of the spectators, who were leaving their 
seats and crowding upon the field. 

Three successive gains of four, seven, and five 
yards were made by Donovan, and the ball steadily 
was nearing the Weston goal. 

“ They’re going to try the forward pass,” said 
Jack in a low voice. “The Spider is losing his 
wind. If they fumble it will be all day and good 


THE FINISH 


231 


night. Watch him ! ” he shouted as if his words 
could be heard by the eleven. “ Watch him ! Watch 
him ! ” 

The two elevens were weakened and excited, but 
at Hogg’s low call every player on the Weston team 
roused himself for what he hoped would prove to 
be the final effort of the game. Bullock tossed back 
his long hair and bent low. Hogg was also leaning 
forward, and every member of the team was watch- 
ing Donovan, who was standing far out on the line, 
apparently waiting to receive the pass. 

Suddenly the ball was snapped back and passed 
to another player, who tucked the ball under his 
arm and with lowered head darted swiftly forward. 
The play was unexpected, and the Weston boys were 
taken unawares. A terrific shout greeted the Burr 
player as he dodged the two men who tried to stop 
him. Almost a clear field was before him, and he 
was gaining headway with every leap. The noise 
and excitement of the assembly was redoubled. 
Hoarse cries, shrieks, calls followed the runner who, 
to all appearances, was unmindful of all things save 
the nearing goal line. 

Suddenly the whistle sounded, and the runner 
was not across the line. The joyous shouts of the 
friends of Weston were mingled with the angry 
protests of the supporters of the rival team, and in a 
moment the crowd surged out upon the field. 


CHAPTER XXV 


A PROPOSAL 

official listened impatiently to the shouts of 
X the angry crowd that speedily gathered about 
him ; but, declaring that the timekeepers were agreed 
that the game was ended, he heeded neither the 
appeals nor the threats. Indeed, though he made 
his way with difficulty through the assembly, he 
soon departed from the field. 

The joyous Weston enthusiasts, unable to over- 
take and bear their team from the gridiron, speedily 
formed in long lines and with songs and shouts 
swung from one side of the field to the other, 
voicing their delight in songs and noisy, boisterous 
cries, chief among which was the taunting refrain 
which had been sung in the early part of the con- 
test: 


Burr! Burr! she can’t play ball! 

Not a bit do we care! Not a bit do we care! 

Many of the friends of Burr good-naturedly 
watched the excited boys, realizing that the outburst 
was only natural, and that if the game had been pro- 
longed only a few minutes, doubtless the victorious 
232 


A PROPOSAL 


233 


Burrs would have been as exuberant as the friends 
of Weston now were. Others, however, were glum 
and morose, and watched the proceedings with an 
expression of anger they were unable to conceal and, 
perhaps, did not desire to. 

At all events the noisy demonstration continued 
for a half-hour or more. Ward and Jack watching 
the performance from the steps of the dressing- 
rooms, whither they had speedily made their way 
at the latter’s suggestion as soon as the game was 
ended. 

How often he had watched a similar outburst. 
Ward thought, and with what different feelings 
from those that now possessed him ! Indeed, as the 
young teacher heard the ever-increasing volume of 
sound, and then was aware that Hogg, and also 
Mayo, whose arm was carried in a sling, a physi- 
cian having been found among the spectators of 
the game who had confirmed the report that the 
boy’s collar-bone was broken and who had at once 
cared for his wants, were talking eagerly to Jack, he 
felt as if he was outside of it all. The slight on the 
part of the players was too manifest to be misunder- 
stood. Even in the rejoicing over the victory, they 
had not a word for the teacher who daily had 
coached the team and in many ways had shown 
his interest in the boys as well as in the eleven. 

It was hard, Ward thought bitterly. If he had 
been willing to wink at the playing of Malarkey and 
had not insisted that the Weston football team 


234 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


ought to be honestly representative of the school, 
all would have been well. 

As it was, his protest had not availed, his stand 
for the honor of the school had virtually been op- 
posed by the principal, and thus far the only result 
achieved had been the enmity of the boys and the 
quiet opposition of Doctor Gray. Was it worth 
while? Why not select the easier course? It was 
what others did ; and, after all, the responsibility for 
the school was not his. 

Ward Hill was no weakling, but he was young 
and inexperienced, and the love of being loved and 
his natural desire to be popular were strong. To 
incur the ill-will, if not the enmity of the boys of 
the Weston school because alone of all the teachers 
he had taken the stand which he did was hard. To 
feel too, that his friend Jack was not in full sym- 
pathy with him, believing him to be straining at a 
gnat, did not make Ward’s heart any lighter. Be- 
sides all this, it was manifest that the prevailing 
sentiment among the friends of the school, if it did 
not uphold the methods employed, at least was not 
outwardly opposed to them, was to make the burden 
doubly heavy. Was it worth while? Was he gov- 
erned by a mere matter of sentiment? Was the 
price of sufficient value to pay it? 

Great game. Ward ! What are you thinking 
about, old man? You look as if your intellectual 
mind was in pain.” Jack had returned from the 
dressing-room, whither he had accompanied Hogg, 


A PROPOSAL 


235 


and as he came to Ward he aflfectionately drew his 
arm through his friend’s and both turned to walk 
back to the school. 

“Did I show it?” replied Ward with a smile. 
“ I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m a believer, even 
when I can’t practice, in the old proverb ‘ burn 
your own smoke.’ ” 

“ I think you are making too much of this,” said 
Jack abruptly. 

“Am I?” 

“ Yes, sir, you are ; and what’s more. I’m with you 
now, though you may doubt it.” 

“ So I see.” 

“ Oh, I don’t mean in the body only. I’m with 
you heart and soul in the stand you’ve taken.” 

“You, Jack? What do you mean?” 

“ Oh, you needn’t think you’re St. Simeon Stylites 
up on a stately column all by yourself. I’ve watched 
this thing and thought a good deal about it, even if 
I didn’t say a word to you. I can ^ burn my own 
smoke ’ on sundry and divers occasions as well as 
you can if I have to do it.” 

“ Go on, Jack.” 

“ Where to shall I go? I’ve gone. I’m there. I’ve 
arrived, so to speak. After what I’ve seen in this 
game to-day, which was in some ways about the 
worst I ever saw. I’ve come to the conclusion that 
you are right and I was wrong — which isn’t the first 
time either in my elongated youthful experiences 
before I entered the law school, I’m sorry to say. 


236 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

Perhaps Pd better state it that I’m glad, not sorry, 
for only a fool doesn’t learn by what he has tried.” 

‘‘ You mean, you believe in a clean team? ” 

Yes, I do. I’m like all proselytes — I’m stronger 
than the proselytor, as the proselytee ought to be, 
which same is a legal term.” 

“ What changed you ? ” 

“ You, primarily, as you have a way of doing. 
Secondly, the dirty work in to-day’s game. Thirdly, 
the effect on the boys, which was bad, and will be 
worse. Fourthly, the premium on lying. Fifthly — 
want any more. Ward? ” 

“ What about the men on the other team ? Wasn’t 
it you that suggested we must fight the devil with 
fire?” 

“ Most certainly not. I made no reference to his 
Satanic majesty. I’ll own up though that such a 
fellow as Donovan on the other team is almost 
enough to make a man forget everything else. Did 
you ever see such plunging as that fellow did 
to-day? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Well, Ward,” continued Jack, “ I’m a lawyer ; at 
least I hope to be one some day, and being such I 
must not be too squeamish about the fellows who 
break the laws.” 

“ I hear that some lawyers are employed by the 
year just to help their clients break the laws and still 
keep out of jail.” 

Don’t you believe it ! Don’t you believe it for a 


A PROPOSAL 


237 


minute. T is a libel on the noblest profession of 
them all. Why, a lawyer, my dear fellow, is the 
bulwark of our civilization. He’s — he’s — well, I 
give it up. I don’t know what he is, except that he 
is ‘ it ’ all right.” 

Ward laughed, for his heart was lighter already. 
He understood his friend so well that he was aware 
that his support would be no light matter either 
among the boys or with Doctor Gray. 

“ I want to give you some advice,” continued 
Jack. “ Oh, I’ll not make any charge for it — haven’t 
got as far as that in the course yet. Do you know 
that the fellows in school or college really care most 
for and like the best, those teachers who bring them 
to time ? ” 

“ Do they?” 

“ Of course they do. You know it as well as I do. 
Now there was Old Chloroform at Tegrus — pro- 
fessor in the department of the Evidences of Chris- 
tianity. What a shame that such a dried-up old 
fossil should be set to teach such a subject! It’s a 
crime ! It’s a legem actio centra — oh, I won’t go on, 
you know Latin as well as I do. Do you remember 
how the boys used to play horse with him ? ” 

I believe I do recollect,” replied Ward with a 
smile. 

He was forever and always trying to be ‘ nice ’ 
to the boys. Even when he did have a sharp word 
for a class that deserved to be decapitated for what 
they had done in his room, he’d speak it about as 


238 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


savagely as a peeping chicken might. And then he’d 
get up and apologize before the end of the recitation : 
‘ Young gentlemen, if in a moment of annoyance I 
have spoken more severely than circumstances war- 
ranted, I wish to make my apology as public as I 
did the reprimand.’ ” 

Ward laughed at Jack’s mimicking of Old Chloro- 
form, but did not speak. 

“ Well, that time when I met Mr. Crane, a few 
weeks back, I asked him about Old Chloroform along 
with the other Tegrus men. ‘ He has the Evidences 
of Christianity, you know,’ I explained to Mr. Crane 
as if he’d never heard of it before. ‘ Do the boys 
play horse as much as ever in his room ? ’ I further 
inquired. ‘ I do not know about as much as ever,’ 
said Mr. Crane with that smile of his a fellow can’t 
ever forget. ‘ The recitation room is right above 
mine, and all I can say is that the Evidences of 
Christianity are very noisy at times, very noisy in- 
deed.’ Can’t you see Mr. Crane when he said it in 
that dry way of his — just a little twitching at the 
corners of his mouth ? ” 

“ Yes,” laughed Ward. “ But what’s the point. 
Jack?” 

“ Compare Mr. Crane with Old Chloroform, that’s 
all. One never caters to his classes, holds every 
fellow straight to the mark, and won’t stand for a 
bit of nonsense. Every boy that comes into his class 
comes for business right from the start. The other 
man is always afraid to take a stand. I shoulti 



“ A l^uge bonfire was kindled on the athletic field, about 
which the boys . . . danced and sang.” 


Page 239. 



A PROPOSAL 


239 


think his wife, if he has one, would have nervous 
prostration whenever she and Old Chloroform come 
to a street-corner, for he would take so much time in 
trying to make up what he calls his mind which way 
he’d go that they’d never get anywhere. And yet 
which one did the boys really like better — the one 
who made them do what he wanted or the one who 
was always trying to please them ? ” 

“ You’re all right, Jack,” said Ward lightly, 
though he was greatly cheered by his friend’s words. 

“ Of course I am,” responded Jack solemnly. 
“ It’s my nature, so I’m not entitled to any special 
credit. But you stick to your text. Ward, and you’ll 
win out. I know you will.” 

“ I’ll stick,” said Ward, “ but I’m not sure about 
winning out.” 

“ Yes, you will,” said Jack lightly. “ I’m sure of 
it.” Jack’s confidence was comforting to his friend, 
but the topic was not alluded to again before his de- 
parture the following morning. 

Unknown to Ward, Jack had an interview with 
Doctor Gray that evening and also with Hogg, 
Mayo, and Bullock, whom he found at the chapel 
steps, where all the boys assembled about eight 
o’clock. Of the results of his efforts to aid his 
friend Jack did not speak, and Ward’s knowledge 
was, therefore, gained in other ways. 

In celebrating the victory that evening the bell in 
the tower of the chapel was rung for an hour, a 
huge bonfire was kindled on the athletic field, about 


240 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


which the boys joined hands and danced and sang to 
give vent to their feelings. 

When the fire at last was extinguished a line of 
march was formed which proceeded first to the 
house of the principal. Doctor Gray came out upon 
the steps, and in response to the repeated calls for 
“ a speech ! ” ''a speech ! he congratulated the 
eleven and expressed his pride in the victory which 
Weston had that day won. 

Departing from the principal’s house the boys 
then marched to the various buildings and demanded 
“ a speech ” from the teachers. When the line ar- 
rived in front of East Hall, however, the demand 
was noisily made for a speech from Mr. Hobart,” 
and not a call was raised for a word from Ward. 

The open slight was keenly felt by the young 
teacher, but in response to Ward’s urgent request 
Jack responded to the boys’ demand, and after he 
had spoken of the victory he added, and the 
greatest help you boys have had this season has been 
Mr. Hill. You know he can teach Latin, and now 
both you and I know he not only can play football, 
but he can train others to play the game too. It’s 
only honor to whom honor is due, and I call for 
three cheers for Mr. Ward Hill.” 


CHAPTER XXVI 


PERSECUTION 


N awkward silence followed Jack’s suggestion, 



XX but not seeming to heed the hesitation he him- 
self led the cheer. It was given half-heartedly and 
without any volume or apparent enthusiasm, and 
Ward, who was able to hear all from his seat in his 
room, was suffering keenly. He was, however, 
more bitter against Doctor Gray than against the 
boys, and for the time his mortification was so deep 
that it seemed almost impossible for him to go on 
with his work in the school. 

When the noisy celebrators passed on. Jack re- 
turned to Ward’s room and said quietly, ‘‘ How is 
your courage, old man ? ” 

“ I can’t just say ; but not very high at the present 
moment. I’m afraid,” replied Ward, smiling in a 
way that did not conceal his real feelings. 

‘‘ It ought to be good.” 

“ I can’t see why.” 

Because you’re going to win out and be all the 
stronger for this. Don’t you be afraid. I know 
what I’m talking about.” 

** Out of your experience? ” 

‘‘ Yes, out of my experience — and observation,” 

Q 241 


242 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


replied Jack. “ I tell you, in their hearts the t/(>ys 
know you are right and they know they are wrong 
too. I’ve seen it wherever I’ve been.” 

“ I’ve tried my best,” said Ward sorrowfully. 

“ Don’t think about it. Just do it, that’s all. What 
wins the boys, and everybody else in the long run, 
isn’t what a man does, but what he is; I know it’s 
so,” continued Jack quickly, as his friend was about 
to interrupt him. “ It isn’t the fellow who tries to 
be popular who really is. Just remember Tim Pick- 
ard. How he used to give dinners and treat the 
fellows and sling his money around like water. And 
there was Pond, who had hardly a cent to his name, 
and who couldn’t have bought even a — a package of 
chewing-gum for his best girl,” Jack added with a 
laugh. “And yet who had the grip on Weston? 
Never you mind! All you need is to keep right on 
sawing wood. He’s the chap that arrives. My 
father was telling me, for my own edification, I 
fancy, the other day that one of the men who built 
one of the first transcontinental railroads said that 
all his success was due to his patience — ^ he could 
wait longer,’ so he said, ‘ than any other institution 
in the world except the Roman Catholic Church.’ 
I’ve been thinking a good deal about that of late, 
especially when torts and equity and jurisprudence 
get in the way of one another in my mind. It’s a 
trick they have, you know, and what torts are to 
me I guess boys like Hogg and Mayo are to you.” 

“ You’re a great chap, Jack,” said Ward. 


PERSECUTION 


243 


Does seem a bit queer that I should be the one 
to brace you up, doesn’t it? ” laughed Jack. “ You’ve 
been the one to hold me all the time. But then, I’m 
just talking, and that’s all it amounts to anyway. 
You probably haven’t had an idea of doing anything 
else. Ward could feel that Jack was looking at 
him keenly as if his fears were greater than he was 
willing to admit even to himself. 

The young teacher smiled as he said thoughtfully, 

“ No, Jack, I haven’t had any thought of giving 
up. It may be that I may not be the one to settle 
that question anyway.” 

“What do you mean? You think you may be 
fired?” 

“ In plain English — yes.” 

“ Don’t you believe it.” 

“ I not only believe it, but I’m sure it’s more than 
likely.” 

“ What makes you say that ? ” 

“ I have my reasons — chief among them being the 
desire of Doctor Gray to avoid ‘ trouble.’ He doesn’t 
like it, and dodges every time. That’s almost the 
hardest lesson I’ve had to learn since I came back to 
Weston.” 

“ He won’t do anything. He’d make more trouble 
if he should do what you say than he would if he 
didn’t.” 

“ You’re not here all the time. Jack.” 

“ Well, you are, and you mind my words ! Just 
wait ! ” 


244 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


On Monday, Jack, as well as all the recent visitors 
at Weston, was gone. The reaction from the ex- 
citement attendant upon the end of the football 
season had come, and not the least to feel it was 
Ward Hill. Not that his own interest in the games 
had been so intense, but the attitude of the boys 
toward their work was somehow different. And the 
quiet of the routine work of the school was more 
pronounced. 

There was no open opposition to Ward by his 
classes, but all the early enthusiasm had departed. 
Only a few seemed to retain any interest in his class 
work. This, to the enthusiastic young teacher, was 
harder to bear than the sullen spirit of opposition. 

The problem was one that he must work out for 
himself, and he at once began to study it. The more 
he quietly watched the boys the more he became con- 
vinced that the cause of the present condition was to 
be directly traced to Hogg. The boy was a menace 
to the best life of the school, and when two weeks 
had elapsed, after the game with the Burrs, and 
Hogg had steadily been falling behind in his work, 
Ward decided that he could wait no longer. 

Accordingly, one evening he sent for the trouble- 
some student, and decided that the time had come 
for him to say what had long been in his mind. 
When Hogg came to Ward’s room in response to 
the summons, his bearing and attitude were so 
distinctly antagonistic that Ward had difficulty in 
restraining his anger. 


PERSECUTION 245 

“ I sent for you, Hogg ” began Ward quietly, 

when his caller was seated. 

Well, Fm here,” interrupted the young giant 
impertinently. 

“ I sent for you because the time has come,” 
began Ward again slowly, ** when some things must 
be more plainly understood.” 

Hogg grinned derisively and said, “ What 
things?” 

'' First, there^s your class work.” 

“What of it?” 

“ Your standing is very low.” 

“ I guess it always will be with you.” 

“ You don’t intend to do my work then? Is that 
it?” 

“ I am doing it.” 

“ Not to my satisfaction.” 

“ Very likely.” 

The boy’s impertinence was exasperating, and all 
of Ward’s strength of will was required to prevent 
him from sending Hogg away. 

“What do you mean, Hogg?” he asked. 

“ I mean that you’re down on me. No matter 
what I do for you I never get any credit for it, and 
I never shall. All the fellows know it, and they’re 
as sore about it as I am.” 

“ Did I show that I was ‘ down on you ’ when I 
helped you with your extra work outside the class ? ” 
As soon as he had asked the question Ward re- 
gretted it, for it was placing him upon the defensive. 


246 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


and he had previously decided to try to bring the 
young giant sharply to the line he himself had 
drawn. 

That — that wasn’t anything. There never has 
been a teacher who expected a fellow to be a grind 
in football time, except you. The fellows didn’t 
like that any better than they did what you said 
about Malarkey ” 

‘‘Where is Malarkey?” interrupted Ward. “I 
haven’t seen him of late.” 

“ I guess it’ll be some time before you see him 
again,” Hogg said, laughing loudly as he spoke. 

“ About the time when the baseball season 
opens ? ” 

“ You’re good at a guess.” 

“Then he has left school now, has he?” 

“ I haven’t seen him lately,” replied Hogg dryly. 

It was not in Ward’s mind to talk of Malarkey at 
the time and he ignored the subject. “ It’s your 
work now, Hogg,” he said earnestly. “ You are 
behind, and slipping all the time.” 

“ Am I the only one ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ I thought not,” said Hogg significantly. “ I 
guess I’m not so very different from all the other 
fellows.” 

“ But it is your work you must do.” 

“ Doctor Gray says if all the fellows in a class 
don’t do very well it isn’t their fault.” 

“ Whose is it ? ” 


PERSECUTION 


247 


Hogg shrugged his shoulders meaningly, but 
made no other reply. Ward felt that his cheeks 
flushed under the thrust, and he was angry at him- 
self for his own lack of self-control. 

“ Hogg,” he said at last, “ I don’t want to make 
any trouble for you ” 

“ I’m not worrying.” 

I don’t want to make any trouble for you,” 
repeated Ward slowly, ‘‘ but there will have to be 
a change. As it is, you will not be ready for college, 
and you are harming others as well as yourself.” 

Who?” 

“ You are a good deal of a leader, and what the 
leading boys do has a great deal to do with what 
the others do. It has always been so in Weston and 
every school like it. You can help or you can 
hinder.” 

** I guess I have about all I want to attend to my 
own affairs.” 

‘‘ Will you attend to them ? ” 

“ I am attending to them.” 

“ I have helped you before, and I’m willing to 
do it again if you will only help yourself.” 

Thank you. I don’t want any extra work.” 

“ I do not mean extra work, Hogg. I’m speaking 
about your regular work.” 

I think I’ll pass that all right.” 

You are too low already in most of it.” 

“ I guess Doctor Gray will look out for me.” 

‘‘ That’s all I want, Hogg,” said Ward slowly as 


248 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

he arose; and Hogg at once departed from the room. 

After the departure of the senior, Ward seated 
himself at his desk and thought earnestly over his 
problem. His overtures had been rejected and his 
appeals had not met with any response. The con- 
fidence of Hogg was sublime, and as Ward thought 
of it, he could not deny to himself that it was not 
without a certain foundation. His own experience 
with Doctor Gray had not been of a character to 
strengthen his hope of help from him, and after a 
half-hour elapsed Ward concluded that he would 
not appeal to the principal, at least for the present. 
Doctor Gray, he decided, was to be the last resort. 

In the few following days Ward was subjected to 
a series of petty annoyances that tested his ability to 
meet them. First his call-bell was removed from his 
desk in his classroom. The young teacher smiled 
grimly when the chapel-bell rang, and continued his 
work with his class despite the restlessness. 

The bell’s rung, Mr. Hill,” suggested Mayo at 

last. 

Has it? I thought I heard it,” said Ward 
quietly. But my call-bell is not here, and I have 
no way of dismissing the class. To-day I’ll let you 
go, and I sincerely hope that to-morrow I shall not 
have to hold you.” 

On the following day the call-bell was in its place, 
but the clapper of the bell or gong in East Hall was 
gone. When Ward went to give the signal at five 
o’clock that the study hour was ended, he noted the 


PERSECUTION 


249 


loss and grimly returned to his room, leaving his 
door open into the hall. 

As he expected, in a few minutes Hogg and Mayo 
appeared at his rooms, and the latter said : “ Mr, 
Hill, do you know it’s ten minutes past the end of 
study hour ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

We can go now, can’t we? ” 

“ You may go when the gong sounds. Some one 
has taken it, and if you like you may set some of the 
boys to look for it. The study hour will be over 
when the gong sounds, and not before.” 

Mayo grinned at his companion and both at once 
departed from the room. 


CHAPTER XXVII 


AN ISSUE 


HALF-HOUR or more elapsed and the clapper 



still was not in its proper place. The restless- 
ness of the boys increased, and several came to 
Ward’s room to inquire why the gong had not 
sounded. To every inquirer the young teacher 
quietly explained the cause of the failure of the 
signal to be given for the termination of the study 
hour. Some retorted angrily, others at once entered 
into the spirit of the teacher; but it was not until 
Bullock came that Ward had much to say to any 


one. 


“ Sit down a minute,” said Ward. I want to 
have a little talk with you.” As the senior seated 
himself in response to the request. Ward continued, 
Bullock, do you think this pays ? ” 

‘^What pays, Mr. Hill?” 

“That all the boys in the East Hall should be 
made to suffer for the foolishness of one or two of 
the fellows ? ” 

“ No, sir. It isn’t fair to make us all pay for what 
one or two do.” Bullock was indignant, but it was 
manifest to Ward that his anger was keener toward 
him than toward the perpetrators of the childish 
trick. 


250 


. AN ISSUE 251 

“ What would you do, Bullock, if you had charge 
here?” 

“ rd punish the guilty ones. It isn’t square to 
make all the fellows stay in.” 

“ Do you think the boys could stop this ? ” 

“ Yes, I suppose they could.” 

“ You know as well as I do who is at the bottom 
of all this.” Bullock did not reply, but the expres- 
sion on his face was an acknowledgment that the 
teacher had spoken truly. 

What do you think I am here for, Bullock?” 
inquired Ward abruptly. 

“ Because you are hired by the trustees.” 

“ And that is the only reason ? ” 

** Perhaps you want to be here.” 

‘"Yes. But why do I want to be here?” 

I don’t know. I fancy you chose to be a 
teacher.” 

“ Yes. Why did I want to teach? ” 

“ You thought you’d like the work.” 

“ What is the work ? ” 

‘‘ Teaching the boys Latin.” 

“ Is that all ? ” 

“ Why, yes, I guess so.” 

“You don’t think there is anything more?” 

“ I hadn’t thought very much about it.” 

“ Think now.” 

“ To help the fellows ? ” 

“ Yes, to help — that’s it. It’s more than making 
scholars — it’s making men,” 


252 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“Yes,” said Bullock; but he spoke as if he did 
not fully comprehend. 

“ That is the real work,” continued Ward. “ That 
is why I was so proud when I was offered the posi- 
tion here. I wanted to help boys just the way Mr. 
Crane helped me when I was here. He was a good 
teacher, but he was a good deal more than that — he 
was a man. I didn’t know very much about what 
that was any more than I did about my Latin. He 
filled in a good deal that I lacked in my knowledge 
of Latin, but he did a good deal more when he 
helped me to see what it meant to be a man. I 
am not posing as much of a Latin scholar or 
teacher ” 

“ But you are, Mr. Hill,” broke in Bullock, almost 
eagerly. He little realized how his impulsive man- 
ner and his warm words cheered the heart of Ward 
Hill, who at the time was more eager for apprecia- 
tion than for almost any other form of encourage- 
ment. “ The fellows all say you are about the best 
teacher at Weston.” 

“ Thank you, Bullock,” said Ward quietly. 

“ That’s what every one says, at least almost every 
one,” continued Bullock. “ The only thing is — 
is ” 

“ Is what?” asked Ward as his visitor hesitated. 

“ I guess you know what I mean.” 

“ Perhaps I do ; but you’d better tell me.” 

“ They didn’t like your meddling.” 

“ Meddling with what? ” 


AN ISSUE 


253 


“ The football team. 

“ I tried to help the team,” said Ward with a 
smile. 

“ Yes, I know that. We all know it. But ” 

“But what?” 

“ It's about Malarkey.” 

“ You mean, I fancy, that the boys were angry be- 
cause I did not approve having any one on the team 
who did not belong there ? ” 

“ That isn't the way the boys put it.” 

“ How do you put it ? ” 

“ I guess Malarkey wasn’t any worse than Dono- 
van, of the Burrs.” 

“ And for that reason you think it was right to 
play him ? ” 

“ We couldn’t have won without him.” 

“ Then it wasn’t the school that won the game ; it 
was a fellow who was hired to play, who didn’t and 
doesn’t belong to the school. Is that what you 
mean, Bullock?” 

“ That is your way of looking at it, Mr. Hill.” 

“ Isn’t it yours?” 

“ Not exactly.” 

“ Bullock, do you approve ? ” 

“ Of Malarkey’s playing? I’m afraid it wouldn’t 
have made any difference whether I did or not.” 

“ Why?” 

“ The feeling in the school is too strong. You are 
the only teacher who opposed it; even Doctor Gray 
didn’t say anything against it. You have got all 


254 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

the fellows down on you, Mr. Hill, and before that 
there wasn’t a teacher at Weston the boys liked as 
they did you.” 

“ Bullock, would you like to have me come out 
and say that I made a mistake ? That it was all right 
to use Malarkey? and that if the boys want to have 
him pitch for the nine next spring I believe it is the 
best thing for Weston? ” 

That’s the trouble now,” said Bullock quickly. 
“ The fellows think you will oppose his pitching in 
the spring.” 

“ Don’t you think I would do better to abandon all 
my opposition ? ” Ward spoke quietly, but there 
was an expression that was almost quizzical on his 
face that mystified his visitor. 

“ Are you going to do that ? ” 

That is not my question.” 

“ What is it, then?” 

“ Do you want me to stop ?” 

“ I don’t believe you can prevent Malarkey’s play- 
ing. The feeling in the school is too strong.” 

‘‘ That too has nothing to do with my question.” 

“ Will what I want have any more ? ” laughed 
Bullock. 

I should like very much to have you answer it.” 

“ I don’t see how you could give it up, Mr. Hill,” 
said the boy at last. 

Why?” 

“ It would look like a backdown.” 

“Shouldn’t a man back down if he is wrong?” 



“ ‘Thank you, Chase,’ said Ward, as he took the 
clapper from the boy’s hand.” 


Page 255 




AN ISSUE 


255 


“ But you are not wrong.’^ 

Ward looked steadily at his visitor without re- 
plying, and Bullock laughed. “ Oh, we all under- 
stand, Mr. Hill,” he said ; “ you’re dead right, of 
course, only — only ” 

The senior’s sentence was not completed, because 
at that moment Chase, one of the younger boys 
rooming in the East Hall, appeared at the open door- 
way with the missing clapper in his hand. 

“ Thank you, Chase,” said Ward, as he quickly 
arose and took the clapper from the boy’s hand. 

Where did you find it? ” 

“ In my room, under the bed.” 

“ That was a great place for it,” laughed Ward. 

“ I didn’t put it there, Mr. Hill,” said Chase 
quickly. 

‘‘ I am sure of that. How did you happen to find 
it?” 

“ Why — why ” stammered Chase, “ one — 

some of the fellows told everybody to look under his 
bed, and when I looked under mine it was just 
there, you see.” 

“ Yes, I see,” said Ward lightly. “ Never mind 
who told you to look. I am glad for the sake of 
the boys in East Hall that it has been found. I’ll 
use it right away and let them out.” 

When Ward sounded the huge flat bell, there was 
a rush from all the rooms, and with many ex- 
clamations of anger the boys ran down the stairs 
and fled from the building, bestowing upon the 


256 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

young teacher, who remained standing in the lower 
hallway, only looks expressive of their indignation 
because they had been held beyond the study hour. 

I don’t believe you will have any more trouble 
like that, Mr. Hill,” said Bullock, who had remained 
in the teacher’s room. 

“ Perhaps not of just that kind.” 

“ I’m going to stand by you,” said Bullock. 

“ I appreciate that. It means more than you 
understand, Bullock,” said Ward warmly. “ The 
whole tone of a school is made by a few boys. And 
I shall be very glad, indeed, to have you help me. 
All I want is what is best for Weston.” 

I know that.” 

The young teacher’s heart was cheered by the 
change in the attitude of Bullock, who was one of 
the leaders in the school life. But, when a few days 
had elapsed, he discovered that although Bullock 
might have influence among the pupils, that of Hogg 
apparently was still stronger. The open opposition 
steadily increased, and numerous petty annoyances 
were multiplied, until his patience and tact were 
severely tried. Do what he might the culprit es- 
caped detection, and there were times when Ward 
felt that his task was hardly worth the price he was 
compelled to pay. 

That Hogg was the instigator he had no question, 
but the desired evidences were wanting, and so 
punishment could not be visited upon the one who 
was most guilty. But the troublesome senior’s work 


AN ISSUE 


257 


was steadily falling, and at last Ward decided that 
an issue must be made. 

Accordingly he went one evening in the winter 
to the home of Doctor Gray, decided that the time 
had come when action of some kind must be taken. 

“ I have come to talk over the case of Hogg,’’ 
Ward said, after he had been welcomed into the 
principal’s study and the conversation had been 
turned to the object of his visit. 

“ Yes,” said Doctor Gray, a frown appearing on 
his face at the words. 

‘‘ His work is poor, and every day it becomes 
worse.” 

‘‘ Is he dull?” 

“ No, sir.” 

“ Then I must say, Mr. Hill, that the trouble quite 
likely is with you. Thomas Arnold, of Rugby, used 
to say that the real test of a teacher was to be found 
in his ability to deal with the exceptional boy. Any 
one can teach a bright — a willing boy.” 

Ward flushed, but repulsed the hasty words that 
came to his lips. “ Hogg is more than a poor 
scholar. He is vicious ; his influence on the younger 

boys is bad ; he is deceitful, treacherous ” 

I fear you are prejudiced, Mr. Hill,” interrupted 
the principal coldly. 

“ I am.” 

“ But prejudice is not a sound basis of judg- 
ment.” 

“ My prejudice is caused by what I know. 

R 


258 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

What do you recommend ? ” inquired the 
principal uneasily. 

“ That he be sent home.” 

“ That will not do ; that will not do at all, Mr. 
Hill. His father is a very influential man ” 

“ But it isn’t his father I’m talking about,” inter- 
rupted Ward sharply. 

“ No, no. You must be patient. I have seen 
many cases where a boy has been made over ” 

“ Is Weston a reform school?” demanded Ward. 

Doctor Gray’s anger was stronger than his an- 
noyance now,^ and he said, “ That remark is not 
called for, Mr. Hill. If we required perfection I am 
fearful some of our teachers would be eliminated. 
You perceive the ” 

“ I do,” said Ward Hill quietly, as he arose and 
faced Doctor Gray. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


A CRISIS 



‘OR a brief time the two men stood facing each 


A other, and not a word was spoken by either. 
To Ward it seemed as if the crisis of his life had 
come. There was a vision of that dire word “ fail- 
ure,” and what it would mean not only to himself 
but also to his father, to Mr. Crane, and others who 
were deeply interested in his career. And by one 
little word he might change it all ! If only he would 
bring himself to accept the point of view of the 
principal of Weston! Even while he was thinking, 
the suggestion presented itself that such a course 
not only might be the easier, but also better. He 
was without experience, and the words of Doctor 
Gray that “ young and inexperienced teachers were 
prone to expect too much,” came back to him with 
a force they had never manifested before. 

As a consequence of all this, there was little of 
arrogance in Ward’s bearing, and his manner evi- 
dently deceived the principal, who was watching him 
keenly, and apparently was waiting for him to speak. 

“ Doctor Gray,” began Ward slowly, “ if you 
think it better for Weston that I should leave I’ll 
resign my position to-night.” 


259 


26 o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


The words were not what the principal had ex- 
pected, for he had thought the implied threat in his 
own statement would be sufficient to bring the 
young teacher to a proper realization of his position, 
as it had never failed with others. 

“ If you go, what will you do ? he at last 
inquired. 

I don^t know.^^ 

“ Your father is not a man of wealth, and I 
fancy you have too much spirit to permit him to 
support you after all he has done for you.” 

“ I shall not be dependent upon him,” said Ward, 
his face flushing as he spoke. 

“ But what will you do ? ” 

I don’t know.” 

“ It is extremely difficult for a young teacher to 
obtain another position if he has failed in his first.” 
The words stung and hurt Ward, the more because 
he was aware how true they were. 

“ Perhaps something will depend upon the expla- 
nation of his failure,” he ventured. 

How can yours be explained here ? ” 

I fancy you know as much or more than I do 
about that. I insist upon a vicious boy being sent 
away from the school. I know his influence is bad ; 
he is dishonest in his leadership of the school athletics, 
and his work in my class has been poor, and steadily 
becoming worse. When I make my report to the 
principal I am told that nothing must be done, not 
even the printed rules of the school concerning a 


A CRISIS 


261 

boy’s maintaining his stand in his class are to be 
obeyed. And why? Because his father is a man 
of influence ! ” There was no question about Ward’s 
quailing now. His eyes were bright, and he was 
facing his old teacher in a spirit which even he 
could not fail to comprehend. And that he was 
more than angry Ward could readily see as he 
looked into Doctor Gray’s face. There was dislike, 
an element of fear, and a weakness that could not 
be concealed. 

That might be your explanation,” suggested the 
principal at last. “ It is, however, not uncommon to 
make inquiries of the proper school authorities when 
one teacher desires to look up the record of another.” 

And what would you say. Doctor Gray ? ” asked 
Ward, still angry. 

'' I am not positive as to just what I would say, 
but I can venture to suggest a few things I might 
say.” 

“ What?” 

“ Well, for example, I might state that we were 
uncertain as to the wisdom of placing so young 
and inexperienced a man in so responsible a position ; 
especially so, when his predecessor had been such 
an unusually successful teacher. But, I might add, 
that our interest in the young man was so great that 
we decided, perhaps against our better judgment, 
to give him a trial.” 

“ And then he failed ? ” Ward was almost aghast 
as he listened to the principal and realized how 


262 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


reasonable his statement would appear to those who 
heard it. 

“ He has not exactly succeeded — yet.” 

“ Is there any fault to be found with his teach- 
ing — his work in the classroom, I mean?” 

'' He started in most promisingly, but it can 
hardly be said that the early interest of his pupils 
has been maintained.” 

You might also explain why that is so,” said 
Ward bitterly. 

“ Yes, I might do that,” acknowledged Doctor 
Gray slowly, although he was watching the young 
teacher far more keenly than Ward was aware. “ I 
might say that, in a measure, he had lost his hold 
upon the boys. His early popularity had scarcely 
been maintained, and as a consequence ” 

“ You did not explain why the change had come 
among the boys.” 

‘‘ The young and inexperienced teacher had not 
been willing to work quietly, but he tried to bring 
a revolution into the school life. He would not 
listen to any suggestions ; not even from the head of 
the school who, to say the least, had had several 
years of experience in dealing with boys. No, he 
insisted upon having his own way, and disregarding 
all the words of counsel or advice that were given 
him by those who were most deeply interested in his 
success ; he took upon himself the task of changing 
all the conditions. His motives may have been quite 
worthy, but I fancy there are not many boards of 


A CRISIS 


263 


trustees who would exactly be enthusiastic in their 
reception of such a man into their corps of teachers. 
What is your opinion, Mr. Hill?” 

Doctor Gray, do you really think I tried or even 
wanted to revolutionize the Weston School?” 
Apparently.” 

“ Then all I can say is that I am very sorry.” 

“ I thought you would see it in the right light,” 
said Doctor Gray, almost eagerly. “ You have made 
mistakes, Mr. Hill, but then we are all prone to do 
that — and learn by them. Indeed, I have a friend 
who has been unusually successful. To-day he is a 
wealthy man. And yet he told me that in the early 
part of his career he failed in business three separate 
times. He also says that he never would have suc- 
ceeded afterward, as he did, unless he had learned 
from his failures how to succeed. I fancy a teacher 
is not different from a business man.” 

Ward was listening and at the same time watch- 
ing the face of the principal. “ Doctor,” he said at 
last, “ I am not sure that you understood me.” 

Yes. Yes, I did. I understood you perfectly.” 

“ I said I was sorry you thought I wanted to 
change Weston. I don’t want that — at least I am 
not sure that I do. We have some established rules, 
haven’t we ? ” 

'' Most certainly.” 

“ And one concerns a boy who fails in his work? ” 
Yes, yes.” The frown reappeared on Doctor 
Gray’s face as he spoke. 


264 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ I don’t want to change that. All I want is that 
it should be obeyed — should mean just what it says.” 

“ We intend to have it so.” 

“ What about Hogg ? ” 

“ There must be something more than the preju- 
dice or dislike on the part of the teacher to warrant 
such extreme measures. Accordingly, all such cases 
are referred to the principal for action, or at least 
before final action is taken. Even our country has a 
supreme court or a court of appeals, you know.” 
Doctor Gray was manifestly trying to speak 
smoothly and lead the younger man into an agree- 
ment with him. 

“ But suppose the boy is sent to the final court and 
is always upheld? Suppose he knows he will be, 
and even jokes about it, and then keeps right on 
neglecting his work ? ” 

‘‘ Have patience,” said the principal, nevertheless 
betraying his annoyance at the implication. 

“ Doctor Gray,” said Ward, ** I am just as eager 
to succeed as you or my father can be to have me. 
I want the good-will of the boys too; but I will not 
pay too big a price for either. I have not drawn 
back from work. Fve helped Hogg outside his 
classes, as you know. But there are two things now 
that I cannot stand for.” 

“What are they, Mr. Hill?” inquired the princi- 
pal, deeply annoyed by Ward’s failure to be con- 
vinced. 

“ One is that Hogg should be permitted to go on 


A CRISIS 


265 


as he is and has been doing, and the other is that I 
should have anything more to do with the school 
athletics unless they are made clean — and honest.’’ 

This is the first instance since I have been con- 
nected with the Weston School when a young 
teacher — who is only a boy — ^has tried to dictate our 
policy.” Doctor Gray was angry now, and his anger 
manifested itself plainly. Both men were still stand- 
ing, and Ward’s self-control had returned and as- 
serted itself. 

I have no desire to dictate the policy of the 
school, doctor,” he said in a low voice. 

“ But that is just what you are doing.” 

“ No. Only trying to show you what I must do 
for myself. I cannot remain and feel that I am not 
supported, and I can’t go on with the school athletics 
when — when I am expected to do for the boys what 
I will not do for myself.” 

If you leave now what will you do ? ” 

“ I don’t know. I’ll find something.” 

'' The enthusiasm of youth.” 

Ward did not reply, and turned as if to leave the 
room. 

“ One moment,” said Doctor Gray hastily. As 
his visitor waited the principal continued, “ You 
desire to leave quietly, Mr. Hill ? ” 

Ward smiled as the fear of trouble manifested 
itself in Doctor Gray’s bearing, and looking calmly 
at him did not reply. 

I take it that if we accept your resignation you 


266 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


wish it to be done without any public scenes — 
explanations ? 

'' I have not thought anything about that part 
of it/’ 

" I do not wish you to be hasty. A few days’ 
delay will do no harm and, meanwhile, I will com- 
municate with your father.” 

“ I have already written to him — and to Mr. 
Crane.” 

“ You have? ” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ Surely neither advised your present precipitate 
action ? ” 

Ward again became silent. 

“ I have no desire to increase your troubles,” said 
the principal soothingly. “ I have always had a 
special interest and pride in you, both on your own 
account and your father’s. He was a boyhood friend 
of mine, as you know. Suppose, Mr. Hill, I should 
agree to the suggestions you have made? In that 
event, have you carefully considered what the effect 
upon the boys and upon yourself would be in case 
you continued through the present year as a teacher 
here?” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ You realize the trouble it would make for your- 
self?” 

“ I have trouble now.” 

“ Yes, yes ; but slight compared with what would 
be certain to come in its place.” 



“ ‘ Doctor Gray, this means more to me than I think you understand.’ ” 

Page 267. 






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A CRISIS 267 

“ But if I am not here I shall not have to meet 
them.” 

True. But in the event of your remaining ” 

“ Doctor Gray, this means more to me than I 
think you understand. It has been the aim of my 
life, ever since I knew Mr. Crane, to become a 
teacher. I may be mistaken, but I believe I can do 
it; but there is one thing I can’t do, not even if I 
can’t get a job sawing wood.” 

“ What is that?” 

What I am expected to do in Weston.” 

Perhaps you have forgotten that I — that the 
school — also have certain rights, and that we also 
expect certain things of the teachers.” 

I have not forgotten ; I am willing. I want to 
do ” 

“ It hardly would appear so from your attitude 
this evening.” 

I have certainly tried. I can say no more. 
Good night, Doctor Gray.” 


CHAPTER XXIX 


A PETITION 



ARD HILL’S surprise when several days had 


V V passed and not a word had been spoken to 
him by Doctor Gray concerning their recent inter- 
view was almost as great as his confusion. What 
did it mean? Was action to be taken without any 
further word from him or to him? That there was 
only one course now to be followed he did not ques- 
tion. His own stand had been so quietly and yet 
so firmly taken that Ward had not considered any 
other line than the one he had indicated. 

The decision having been made, his heart, in a 
measure, was lightened. In his daily tasks he was 
upheld by the consciousness that, doubtless, he soon 
would be free from the perplexing problems. Even 
Hogg did not appear in quite the same light as be- 
fore, and the overbearing, indifferent manner of the 
senior was as much a matter of amusement to the 
young teacher as it was a source of annoyance, for 
to all appearances the actions of the senior were un- 
changed. His opposition to Ward had assumed the 
form of indifference, at least so far as his manner in 
public gave any indication; but in the petty annoy- 
ances, in which a schoolboy is an adept. Ward had 


268 


A PETITION 


269 


no doubt that the prime instigator was still Hogg. 
The fact that these troublesome experiences were not 
quite so numerous as they had previously been did 
not deceive the young teacher, and the air of dis- 
trust and dislike was still manifested so plainly 
against him that it was impossible for him to ignore 
them. 

Several times Ward had designedly given Doctor 
Gray an opportunity to refer to what he had said 
in the interview which had cost so much, but 
the principal, also from design as Ward believed, 
had avoided it. “Trouble” of any kind was so 
disagreeable that the man was simply trying by 
every pretext to put off the evil day ; or, at least, so 
Ward Hill believed. 

The influence of Bullock apparently had not 
availed for much. If the senior had really done 
anything the result was yet to be seen, and Ward 
said to himself, perhaps a little bitterly, that Bullock 
was like many others. He had spoken pleasant 
words because at the time they had been felt, but 
they did not mean that even Bullock was very much 
in earnest. At all events he had not been able to 
change perceptibly the conditions which Ward was 
compelled to face, and the young teacher speedily 
decided that he must not place any reliance upon 
aid from that quarter. 

In spite of the quiet strength which had come to 
Ward Hill with the decision once made, he still felt 
keenly what his failure meant. He longed to be 


270 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


popular with the boys. Their good-will was some- 
thing which he craved; but when he fairly looked 
at the price which he believed he must pay for it 
he did not feel any regret at the stand he had 
taken. 

When the spring vacation came, as it soon did, 
and still not a word had been spoken by Doctor 
Gray, Ward Hill’s quandary was great. What was 
expected of him? Did the principal intend to write 
him after he had returned home, and notify him in 
that easy manner which would avoid a trouble- 
some ” interview ? The various and continually 
varied manipulations of Doctor Gray, his cordiality 
which, to Ward, had become exceedingly distasteful 
because it was so openly professional, his flattering 
words for the student body as well as for individual 
students were now so plainly insincere, or at least 
so they seemed, that the utterance of them was a 
source of irritation. Ward avoided his presence 
whenever it was possible for him to do so and 
strengthened his own purpose by a species of self- 
pity. In the new light it seemed to him that he was 
the victim of all the evils in the school life at Wes- 
ton. His own ideals were so high and the way to 
bring results to pass was so plain that the fault all 
must lie at the doors of others, or so he believed, in 
a measure. 

Twice Ward went to Doctor Gray’s home before 
the coming of the vacation days, but was unable to 
find the principal at either time, and then he decided 


A PETITION 


271 


that he would do no more. If word should be sent 
him at his home he would act upon it then. 

Ward’s trunk was packed, and he was seated in 
his room waiting for the coming of the stage when 
Bullock entered. Greeting his visitor pleasantly he 
said, “ I thought you had gone before this.” 

“ I waited over a train.” 

“ Most of the boys don’t do that.” 

“ I never did before.” 

“Why now?” 

“ I wanted to see you.” 

“ Yes ? ” Ward was aware from his visitor’s man- 
ner that Bullock had something of importance to 
say to him. 

“ Mr. Hill, it’s talked that you are not coming 
back after Easter. I wanted to ask you if that is so.” 

“ Who says so ? ” 

“ It’s common talk.” 

“ Why am I not coming back ? ” 

“ Don’t you know ? ” 

“ No. At least I don’t think I know what is in 
your mind.” 

“ But is it true ? ” 

“ That I am to leave ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ I fancy it is. I hardly know. I don’t mind 
telling you that I told Doctor Gray that I would not, 

if conditions I told him I would not,” Ward 

hastily corrected himself. He did not mean to be 
disloyal to the school or to the principal. 


272 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“You told him?’’ asked Bullock in unconcealed 
surprise. 

“ Yes.” 

“ When?” 

“ Two weeks ago.” 

“ Then this petition ” 

“ What petition ? ” inquired Ward quickly as he 
became aware of Bullock’s confusion. 

“ Haven’t you heard ? ” 

“Of a petition? No.” 

“ Some of the fellows have signed one.” 

“ What is it for ? ” Ward’s face was colorless 
and his heart was beating rapidly. He was con- 
vinced that he knew what it was that troubled Bul- 
lock, yet nevertheless he dreaded to hear the words 
of explanation. 

“ Don’t you know ? Hasn’t anything been said to 
you about it ? ” 

“ Not a word.” 

“ I don’t understand it. Hogg said ” 

“What did he say?” Ward asked quietly, as 
Bullock’s unwillingness or hesitation caused him to 
break off. 

“ Why, Mr. Hill, Hogg said it was only a form, 
and that you had really resigned. He said you 
were not coming back.” 

“ That may be true, but if it is I do not see why a 
petition is necessary. What good will that do ? ” 

“ He seemed to think that Doctor Gray ” 

‘ Had Doctor Gray spoken to Hogg ? ” broke in 


A PETITION 273 

Ward angrily. He was indignant now and his self- 
repression abruptly departed. 

“ He must.'' 

“ What makes you say that? You must tell me. 
I have a right to know." 

“ I am not sure, but from what Hogg gave us to 
understand " 

“ Bullock, tell me what Hogg said! Tell me just 
what it was I " 

“ Hogg didn't have charge of the paper, but he 
knew all about it. He said that you were going to 
leave and that — that — Doctor Gray seemed to think 
if the boys should sign a petition it would help." 

“ I don't think it will help any, Bullock. It won’t 
be needed." Ward was eager to ask his visitor if 
he too had signed. He felt outraged as well as in- 
dignant now. The failure of the principal to speak 
was now clearly understood. He had suggested — 
and a sneer appeared on Ward's face at the thought 
— that a paper signed by the boys would make his 
painful course easier and avoid all trouble. It was 
plain now, and Ward’s heart was hot within him. 

When was this paper — this petition — started ? 
When did you first see it ? " he inquired. 

“ Three days ago." 

Why didn’t you speak to me ? " 

“ I don’t just know. I thought you knew. If 

you really were going to leave ’’ 

That has nothing to do with it ! " 

“ Why, Mr. Hill, that was what made Doctor 
s 


274 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

Gray suggest it in the first place to Hogg. You see, 
the boys feel 

“ Yes, I know how they feel.” 

“ I’m sorry, Mr. Hill,” said Bullock. “ I didn’t 
think you would take it that way.” 

“ I am not blaming the boys.” 

I’m glad of that,” said Bullock eagerly. 

“ No. They didn’t understand. There comes the 
stage, Bullock,” Ward added as the lumbering coach 
halted in front of the building. Rising from his 
seat he grasped the senior’s hand for a moment and 
said, “ Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t blame you. 
I am not finding fault with the boys. They are not 
to blame. Good-bye, Bullock. I hope you will have 
a very pleasant vacation.” 

'' Good-bye, Mr. Hill ! ” responded Bullock, grasp- 
ing Ward’s outstretched hand. I wish you were 
going my way. I feel as if I hadn’t done any good 
by speaking to you. And yet I really wanted ” 

“ I understand,” called Ward cheerily as he clam- 
bered on board the stage to which his trunk had 
already been lifted. 

Snow was still to be seen on the bleak hillsides, 
but trees and fields proclaimed that winter was de- 
parting. The very bleakness seemed to Ward to 
reflect his own feelings and prospects. How full of 
hope and confidence he had been only last Septem- 
ber, he thought. September — could that be correct ? 
Only seven months back? To the young teacher it 
seemed as if long years must have intervened. 


A PETITION 


275 


The dreary landscape presented a scene as differ- 
ent from that of the mellow autumnal tints as his 
own feelings at that far-away time were different 
from those which now possessed him. The high 
hopes had fallen like leaves. The confidence was 
shaken, and the men, or rather the one man, whose 
good opinion he had esteemed so highly, had disap- 
pointed him. And all his plans for entering into the 
life of the Weston boys — they too had dropped. 
And yet not all the fault had been his, he declared 
to himself. 

He had been tempted — bribed was the word — to 
abandon his high purposes and pay a price for 
success, which he was unwilling to give. He could 
understand now how other men had felt. He 
thought of the Conway cabal against Washington, 
of Walter Raleigh, of Columbus ; and in his uncon- 
scious egotism Ward Hill found a slight consolation 
in the thought that he too was in the lists, for in his 
inexperience he did not realize that the same test 
which was before him was not only in the pathway 
of a few, but belonged to all men everywhere. It 
was a part of life itself. 

His chief feeling of bitterness was over the peti- 
tion. The thought aroused his anger once more and, 
being angry, the keenness of his sorrow in a measure 
was blunted. Scornfully he pictured to himself the 
principal with his smooth ways — “ oily,” Ward 
termed them — inciting Hogg to have a petition 
circulated. Signatures could easily be obtained — 


276 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

boys as well as men would sign anything — even their 
own death-warrant — provided it was put before 
them in such a form. How easy it would be for 
Doctor Gray to show the paper to the trustees and 
explain to them how he too had come to believe that 
the young teacher was a failure. This would be the 
easiest way out. There would be little “ trouble ” 
for the principal in following such a course. Of 
his own trouble/’ Ward thought somewhat bitterly. 
No one had anything to say concerning it, for no 
one cared about him. 

Mortified, suffering keenly, by turns angry and 
depressed, the journey brought little pleasure to 
Ward; but at its end, when he had alighted at the 
little station at Rockville and turned into the fa- 
miliar street that led to his father’s house his 
courage had returned, and he grimly declared to 
himself that “ no one had ever yet heard him whine, 
and no one ever would.” 



“ He . , . turned into the familiar street that led to his father’s house.” 

Page 276. 






CHAPTER XXX 


AT HOME 



HE welcome which Ward Hill received, when 


1 . his father and mother ran to greet him as he 
opened the front door and entered the house, was 
of a character that did him great good, although it 
also deepened the sorrow which was in his heart. 
There was no question concerning the love and 
sympathy which were his without the asking, but 
Ward was aware that in spite of the deep affection 
their pride would have been greater had he come 
home with the assurance of success. 

However, nothing was said for a time concerning 
his recent experiences, and, in the warmth of his 
welcome and the deep joy at being once more in his 
home. Ward’s pleasure was genuine. There was 
one place in the world anyway, he thought with 
kindling eyes, where a man was judged by the heart 
as well as by the head. Here everything was 
judged by affection, and even if his defects or 
failures were measured by a too lenient standard, 
still it was worth all it cost just to bring the joy of 
his presence to his father and mother. How they 
had toiled and sacrificed for him! Never a word 
concerning their own loneliness, not a complaint of 


277 


278 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

what they had denied themselves to do for him. 
Ward, who now knew something of the struggle 
through which his father and mother had gone to 
provide him with all that he had, was touched more 
deeply than ever he had been, and in his heart he 
resolved that in spite of his disheartening experi- 
ences at Weston, they would never have cause to 
regret what they had done. 

His face had on it a softer expression when he 
was seated in the library, and in the light that was 
shining from the blazing log on the hearth he could 
see the changes in the two people nearer and dearer 
to him than any one else on earth. His mother was 
even more gentle than in the years that had gone, if 
such a thing were possible, and the deep affection of 
his father for his boy had softened even the some- 
what stern expression which, at times, the thought- 
ful face had. 

‘‘ Tell us about it, my boy,” his father suggested 
at last, when an hour or more had passed. 

Thus bidden. Ward related the story of his 
troubles from the very beginning. He did not spare 
himself, nor attempt to make light of the mistakes 
he had made, determined that those who loved him 
most should at least be informed as to the facts. 

“ And Doctor Gray did not say anything to you 
when you came away ? ” inquired his father. 

Not a word.” 

That is strange. You are certain he did not 
misunderstand ? ” 


AT HOME 


279 


I am sure he could not.” 

So you really do not know whether you are 
going back or not? ” 

That is the worst of it.” 

“ I confess I do not understand. I know Doctor 
Gray, I think, as well as I know any man. We 
roomed together in college and have kept up a very 
cordial acquaintance ever since.” 

“ Do you think I have been too hard in my judg- 
ment of him ? ” 

“ Of course I can’t say fully yet. You see, I 

have heard only your side of the story ” 

I am sure Ward is right,” spoke up Mrs. Hill 
quickly. “ I have known Doctor Gray almost as 
long as your father has, Ward. What was it you 
used to call him in college ? ” she inquired of her 
husband. 

Janus.” 

Yes, that is it. I had forgotten, though I knew 
it was some such outlandish name,” said Mrs. Hill. 
“ You told me what that meant, but I’ve forgotten.” 
Was he two-faced then?” asked Ward quickly. 
Not in the way you mean. Ward,” said his 
father with a smile. “ He was at heart as true a 
man as I ever met. The great difficulty with Tom 
Gray was that he tried to be friendly with every- 
body. He disliked trouble with any one ” 

He’s the same now,” interrupted Ward. 
“ ‘ Trouble ’ is his black beast. He’d have less of it 
if he faced it a little more decidedly. He didn’t 


28 o 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


want to Stir up Hogg for fear of ‘ trouble ' ; and yet 
when I took the stand I did, he wanted to get 
around that too somehow. And he has,’^ Ward 
added bitterly. “ It seems to me I never heard of 
anything meaner than his getting Hogg to start 
that petition against me. Why didn’t he come right 
out and take a stand one way or the other? I tell 
you, father, I can’t help thinking of what the book of 
Revelation has about the church at Laodicea. ‘ I 
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou 
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew 
thee out of my mouth.’ Bah! It is the most dis- 
gusting figure in all literature. For my part I’d 
rather have God’s anger than God’s disgust ! ” 

“ You are not so old as you may be some time. 
Ward,” said his father quietly. 

“ Probably not. But that doesn’t change Doctor 
Gray.” 

“ He has changed since I first knew him.” 

He’s more like Janus, and January, than ever, 
then ! ” said Ward hotly. He looks not only back- 
ward, and forward, but in and out and up and down. 
He’ll follow any path if it isn’t straight ” 

You are hard. Ward.” 

I know it, but I think I have a right to be. 
I haven’t been given a fair show. He has tried to 
use me as a buffer and a bumper. One word from 
him could have prevented all the trouble I’ve 
had ” 

“ Then you too are afraid of ' trouble,’ are you ? ” 


AT HOME 


281 

For an instant Ward stared at his father in si- 
lence. It was the first time it had occurred to him 
that he was afraid of the very word which, in his 
anger, he had declared to be the “ black beast ” of 
the principal. “ Yes, I may be,” he at last said 
slowly, “ but not in the way Doctor Gray is.” 

'' Then you really think you haven’t made any 
mistakes ? ” 

“ I don’t say that.” 

What mistakes do you think you have made ? ” 

“ I don’t know. I’ve tried to do my best ” 

began Ward, slightly hurt at what seemed to be a 
criticism by his father. 

Of course you have. Ward,” said his father. 
“ Perhaps your overanxiety has been one ? ” 

” Don’t you think I ought to have said or did 
anything? ” 

“ Yes. You did just what I expected you to do, 
what I wanted you to do, and yet, I might say, just 
what I feared you would do too.” 

“ I don’t think I understand,” said Ward, puzzled 
by his father’s manner as by his paradoxical words. 

“ I can’t explain now,” said his father with a 
smile. 

“ You didn’t want me to dodge it, did you? ” de- 
manded Ward eagerly. You can’t understand 
what a poison it is in the school life to have the 
boys believe that anything is fair in athletics. It 
works into a great many other things. It just eats 
out ” 


282 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


'' Yes, I understand. I have not one word of 
blame, my boy. I am glad that you took the stand 
you did, if ” 

“ If what? ” demanded Ward eagerly. 

‘'If it works out all right for you, as I believe it 
will in the end. The man who really succeeds is 
not the one who does not make mistakes, but the 
one who is not ‘ downed ’ by those he does make.” 

“ But what was my mistake ? ” 

“ I can't say — just yet. Perhaps none at all. 
Ward,” his father said, abruptly changing the sub- 
ject of conversation. “ When do you plan to visit 
Jack? You are going to spend two or three days 
with him, you said.” 

“ I thought I’d go to New York the first of next 
week.” 

“ Why not go to-morrow ? ” 

“ I can, but I thought I’d stay here till ” 

“ Come back here after your visit.” 

“ That will be all right. I’ll go to-morrow morn- 
ing.” 

Telegraphing his friend when he expected to ar- 
rive, Ward Hill departed the following day for 
New York, where he was enthusiastically welcomed 
by Jack and his roommates; and for a time, in the 
joy of being with them, even the consciousness of 
his own perplexing problems departed. 

In the evening, however, when Ward and Jack 
were left to themselves in the room, the pressing 
care returned, and in response to his friend’s urgent 


AT HOME 283 

appeal Ward related his most recent experiences 
at Weston. 

“ Then you are in the air now, are you, old man ? ” 
said Jack lightly when Ward’s story had all been 
told. 

“ Yes.” 

Ward Hill, you are a funny chap,” laughed 
Jack, as he regarded his visitor almost quizzically. 

“Am I? I hadn’t realized it,” said Ward soberly. 

“ Well, you are, whether you realize it or not. 
You make me think of a story my mother told me 
the other day about a little neighbor of ours.” 

“ What is the story? ” 

“ Why, the little girl in the family — she rejoices 
in the name of Nancy — at least that’s her name, 
though why she should rejoice in it gets me.” 

“ Are you sure she does ? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t know, that’s the way every story 
has it — ‘ she rejoiced in the name of ’ — Nancy, or 
Evangeline, or Sally Ann, or whatever it was. Well, 
Nancy is a sober, serious-minded little maid, aged 
six. One day, after she had been to church with 
her Aunt Mary, she came home and said to her 
mother : ‘ Mother, why doesn’t the Lord come to 
our church ? ’ 

“ ' He does,’ said her mother a bit startled. 

“ ' No, he doesn’t,’ Nancy declared positively. ‘ He 
comes to Aunt Mary’s church, for I saw him. He 
had on a black gown, and when he read out of a 
book the people talked right back to him — awful.’ 


284 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ ‘ What did they say? ’ asked Nancy’s mother. 

“ ‘ We’ll be switched if we hear thee, good 
Lord.’ ” 

How does that apply to me? ” inquired Ward. 

“ Because it’s about as straight as you get things. 
You make me think of the Frenchman who had been 
trying to learn the English language and one time 
when he fell into the water he called for help — 
‘ Nobody shall help me ! I will drown ! ’ ” 

“ You think I look on the dark side of things ? ” 

“ You don’t always look for the brighter.” 

“ But suppose it is dark and ” 

“ There’s always a good side,” broke in Jack. 

“ Ever hear about the darky ” 

‘‘ Jack, do you ever spend any time studying? It 
seems to me you must be reading the funny items in 
the papers more than you do Blackstone.” 

Blackstone ! who’s he ? It’s a black man I’m 
talking about just now. This colored gentleman 
had sold a turkey to a white man and declared by 
all that was great and good that the aforesaid bird 
was of domestic rearing and strictly corn fed. The 
man bought it and had it for dinner, and then the 
day after he chanced to meet old Moses, who had 
sold him the turkey with the above-mentioned guar- 
antee. ‘ Mo’, didn’t you tell me that turkey I bought 
of you was domestic and corn fed ? ’ 

“ ^ Yaas, suh. Yaas, suh,’ said the darky glibly. 
“ ' What does it mean then that I found several 
shot in the bird while I was eating it ? ’ 


AT HOME 


285 


Dem shot, suh, was stric’ly ’tended foh me, 
suh; yaas, suh; yaas, suh, das de way ’t was. De 
shots was ’tended foh me.’ ” 

“ What’s the moral of that little tale. Jack?” 

“ You are just like that darky. Ward. If you 
find any shot lying around loose, you instantly de- 
clare you were the target. ‘ Yaas, suh, de shot was 
sholy ’tended foh me.’ See the point, old man ? ” 

“ I see what you think the point is, but I can’t 
see that it really applies to me personally.” 

“ Yes, it does too. You can look down all right, 
but it’s a good thing not to forget there is an upside 
also. You get the sound all right, but you fit it on 
about as well as I did one time in an examination in 
English history. One of the questions was, ' What 
rights did the subjects of King John claim?’ and 
my answer was ‘ The right to partition the king.’ 
Then there was another question I recall, ‘ Where is 
Stirling, and for what is it famous?’ My expla- 
nation was even brighter than my definition of the 
rights of King John’s subjects. ' Stirling is famous 
for the sovereigns who have been crowned there.’ ” 
‘‘ That wasn’t so bad.” 

‘‘ No, not if I had stopped there, but like a little 
— like some people I know — I had to go on and say 
some more, so I added, ‘ A sovereign is still called a 
pound Stirling.’ Josh Billings said it was better not 
to know so many things than to know so many 
things that ain’t so.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 


JACK Hobart's explanation 

W ARD’S visit with Jack was extended to three 
days, and it was the continued effort of the 
latter to divert his friend’s thoughts from the diffi- 
culties that confronted him at Weston. In this 
attempt Jack was measurably successful, and Ward 
had a good time, though there were moments when 
his serious countenance betrayed the anxiety which 
easily returned to the young teacher. Not that 
Ward Hill was unduly cast down, or that his deter- 
mination had weakened, but his problems were real 
and, apparently, there was no way out except the 
one he had chosen. 

That he was to return to Weston the following 
week was by no means certain. Every day he had 
been expecting a letter or telegram that would 
definitely decide the matter, and as the hours passed 
and still no word came. Ward’s feeling of depression 
did not depart. 

On such occasions he talked the matters over 
with his friend, but Jack’s sympathy, ordinarily 
quick to respond to the appeals of his friend, was 
not strongly aroused, or at least so Ward thought. 
Jack would listen attentively, but he seldom replied 
286 


JACK Hobart's explanation 287 

directly, and his usual answer was to relate some 
funny story he had heard or read, or at once try to 
divert the conversation into other channels." 

“ Ward, why don’t you give it up ? " he demanded 
one time when his friend appeared to be more than 
usually cast down. 

“ Give what up ? " 

“ Teaching." 

‘‘Why?" 

“ What do you want to waste your life on a lot of 
kids for? It ain’t worth it. They’re an ungrateful 
lot, anyway. If you have to fight, you can’t do it as 
you would with men. They don’t know much, and 
when they do begin to show some sign of dawning 
intelligence, why that’s just the time when they leave 
you." 

“ What would you advise me to take up ? ’’ 

“ The law," replied Jack promptly. 

“Why the law?" laughed Ward. 

“ Because that’s the work for men. You have 
brains. You’re ’’ 

“ I am not so sure that others would judge me as 
you do," broke in Ward lightly. 

“ But they would," persisted Jack. “ Just think 
of the money you’d make ! " 

“ You speak as if there wasn’t any question about 
that. Suppose I did make money, what would I 
make it for ? " 

“ Make it for ! " retorted Jack. “ Why, you’d 
have it." 


288 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“What for?^^ 

“ Why, to use — to spend.” 

“What for?” 

“ For yourself — for any one you wanted.” 

“What for?” 

“ Fve told you what for. You’re like a parrot. Is 
that the only thing you can say, Ward — ‘ What 
for?’ ‘What for?”’ 

“ I’m not joking. Jack. I am asking the question 
seriously.” 

“ I’ve answered it.” 

“ For you — yes. It’s all right for you. I don’t 
know that I can explain to you just how I feel about 
it. I honor the man who is successful in business 
or in law. I haven’t one word to say to you. Jack, 
except that, with all my heart, I hope what you are 
working for and looking for will come to you. But 

for me Well, I’d never be satisfied just to handle 

things. If I was a manufacturer, and every year 
doubled my output, I am sure it wouldn’t satisfy 
this feeling I have about the matter. No, Jack, I 
must deal with the things that make for the life 
itself. I must teach or ” 

“ You haven’t very much of an opinion of your- 
self, to say nothing of the rest of us poor, strug- 
gling mortals, have you? ” said Jack good-naturedly. 
“ Then you don’t think lawyers and bankers and 
what not, have anything to do with the real man ? ” 

“ No, that’s not it at all. Honestly, that isn’t 
what I mean. I do honor every man that does good 


JACK Hobart's explanation 289 

work. I know it’s all necessary too, and a part of 
life that can’t be ignored. I don’t make my point 
very plain, and I know it sounds very egotistical 
for me to say it ; but really, I don’t mean it that way. 
All I say, is that for me — I don’t judge any one else 
— I simply must work where everything I do has a 
relation to life.” 

“ I’d like to know if every work doesn’t? ” 

“Yes. You’re right about it. Jack. I’m not de- 
nying it. And yet I couldn’t go into anything — just 
to make money out of it.” 

“ Neither could I. Think of the widows I’ll save 
by legal lore ! think of the defenseless I’ll defend ; 
the senseless I’ll sense ; the innocent I’ll protect ! Of 
course, I shall do it all for a proper and fitting con- 
sideration,” Jack added demurely; “but it troubles 
my lofty ideals a bit to hear my best friend tell me 
I’m a machine to grind out money — only this and 
nothing more.” 

“ I don’t say it, jack,” said Ward quickly. “ You 
know I don’t, and what’s more, you understand what 
I do mean too; I know you do.” 

“ I think I perceive what you believe you be- 
lieve ” 

“ That’s all right. I want to follow in Mr. Crane’s 
way, though I have no foolish notions of ever 
catching up with him. But in spite of my recent 
failure at Weston ” 

“Who says you failed?” interrupted Jack 
sharply. 

T 


290 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


‘‘ Everybody/' 

“ Name one/' 

‘‘ Doctor Gray." 

“ He didn’t say it." 

He implied it." 

“ Not a bit. That’s just his way, that’s all. Who 
else said it ? ” 

“ Why — Hogg,” said Ward lamely. 

“ When did he say it ? " 

“ I don’t know the exact date." 

“ I guess you don’t, nor any one else ! And even 
if Hogg said it, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that 
it was so, would it ? ’’ 

“ Why, no." 

“ I didn’t think you placed so much stress on 
Hogg’s opinion. It does not impress you so tre- 
mendously when he states his opinion of other 
things, does it ? Virgil, for example ? ’’ 

I confess his opinion of Virgil is not unduly 
weighty." 

“ Why do you count it so much then when he 
expresses it about a teacher? Is he a more compe- 
tent judge in that matter than he is in the other? ’’ 
“ I don’t know that he is," acknowledged Ward 
with a smile. The positiveness of his friend was 
wonderfully comforting, and he was more desirous 
of having Jack contradict him than either was 
aware. “ But," Ward continued, “ I haven’t got 
Hogg. I tried, but I didn’t succeed. He won’t 
work for me; he doesn’t like me; he sets the other 


JACK Hobart's explanation 291 

boys against me, and all that makes my work 
hard " 

Oh, I thought you didn’t mind hard work. I 
thought you had such a vision of dealing with vital 
matters, that a little thing like hard work didn’t 
count. It’s only the fellow who is a lawyer, or a 
banker, who ought to say anything about that. A 
lawyer never has any hard work. A banker hasn’t 
anything to do except to go down to his bank for a 
few hours every day, and just sit at his desk and 
take in a lot of money. I tell you, Ward Hill, if I 
didn’t know you a good deal better than you know 
yourself, I’d tell you you were playing the baby 
act.” 

“What do you mean. Jack?” demanded Ward, 
his face flushing scarlet at the surprising words of 
his friend. 

“ Oh, you needn’t get mad. Ward. It won’t do 
you any good anyway, even if you do. But what 
you need is to get your feet down on earth once 
more. You’re not the only man, or the first one, 
that has faced trouble or had hard work, and you 
are not the first baby that has been spanked — and 
cried, either ! ” 

“ I haven’t cried.” 

“ Yes, you have. You’ve wept copiously, fre- 
quently, profusely. You’ve fallen on your own 
shoulder and sobbed and cried because, forsooth, 
your work was hard. You’ve even threatened to 


292 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


“ I haven’t ! ” interrupted Ward, now angry as 
well as hurt. 

“ Haven’t you ? Pray, pardon my mistake,” said 
Jack, bowing low as he spoke. Ward was too angry 
to perceive how his friend was struggling, and how 
difficult it was for him to speak, nor did he know 
how Jack had hesitated, and only brought himself 
at last to speak by the strongest effort of his will. 
“Pardon me,” he repeated, laughing noisily; too 
noisily Ward would have seen if he had not been 
so completely absorbed in his own feelings ; “ but 
I thought you told Doctor Gray you would 
resign ? ” 

“ I did — but not because my work was too hard.” 

“ I’m glad of that. Ward,” said Jack cordially. 
“ If it wasn’t because your work was hard, why did 
you say you would resign ? ” 

“ Because — because,” stammered Ward, embar- 
rassed now by his friend’s implication, which he 
was too honest with himself to say was not true, al- 
though he had presented it in a light Ward had not 
before seen. “ I told Doctor Gray — I’d not stand 
for some things in the school.” 

“ And if they were not changed at once, you’d 
leave ? ” 

“ That’s twisting it. Jack, and you know it.” 

“ Ever hear about the little boy who ‘ wouldn’t 
play ’ unless he could have his own way ? ” 

“ Jack Hobart, you have no business to talk like 
that to me ! ” exclaimed Ward, now thoroughly 


JACK Hobart's explanation 293 

angry and rising from his seat. “ I won’t stand 
everything, even from you, Jack! ” 

“ Sit down, professor,” said Jack, trying to speak 
lightly, though his voice trembled slightly. “ Don’t 
mount your high horse, but be still a minute and let 
me talk to you. You’ve been up in Weston, among 
the hills, and you haven’t had your best friend talk 
to you for three months, as I’m talking to you now ; 
and I’m not done yet, either ! Sit down and hear me 
out; and then if you want to leave. I’ll not say a 
word. I’m not doing this because I want to. You 
can rest easy on that! It hurts me more than it 
does you, as my doting mother used to remark to 
me on divers and sundry occasions, which are burnt 
into my feeble anatomy.” 

Ward Hill hesitated a moment, looked steadily at 
his friend, and then resumed his seat. 

“ That’s the way to do it ! Now brace yourself, 
Ward, for what Fm going to say. It tastes bitter, 
but it’ll do you good, and don’t speak till I’m all 
done.” 

The expression in Jack’s face was unusually 
tender, and his friend, as he watched him, was 
strongly moved, although he was not able to account 
for the change that had come to both of them. 

“ To begin with. Ward,” resumed Jack, the boys 
have sent in a petition for you to stay. Bullock has 
been the prime mover, and even Hogg has signed it.” 
As the color left Ward’s face. Jack laughed a trifle 
brokenly, and continued : There wasn’t one of the 


294 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


fellows that wanted you to go. They all say you are' 
the best teacher in Weston, even Hogg admits that. 
Of course, it was a hard dose for him to swallow, 
for he knew what it meant in athletics if he signed 
that petition. No more Malarkey or his ilk for 
Weston. But they all owned up that you were dead 
right, and in their hearts they liked it. The only 
thing the boys really kicked against was — well, they 
would have liked it better if you had just waited and 
not threatened to resign. And I think they were 
right, old man, myself.” 

“ I was a fool ! ” said Ward impulsively. 

“ Wait ! Tm not done yet. Doctor Gray ” 

“ What about him. Jack? ” said Ward eagerly, as 
his friend hesitated. 

“ Doctor Gray is getting old. He owns up to it, 
but he isn’t quite willing to quit, just yet. He says 
he must have a young teacher — one who has not 
learned everything yet — to work with him as a vice- 
principal, and get into training for his place by and 
by. He says you have made some mistakes, but the 
petition of the boys settled it for him.” 

“What do you mean?” asked Ward slowly, as 
with blanched face he stared at Jack, who was beam- 
ing now, and apparently more excited even than his 
friend. 


CHAPTER XXXII 


CONCLUSION 

I ’VE told you just how the matter stands,” said 
Jack. His eyes were shining and his face was 
beaming with happiness. 

“ You mean that Doctor Gray has said that he 
wants me to be the assistant, or vice-principal ? 
Is that it ? ” 

“ Precisely. You have a very terse way of sta- 
ting things. Ward,” laughed Jack. “You have 
struck the nail on the head.” 

“ But he said, or implied, or at least I thought he 
did, that — that he believed it to be better for me to 
leave. That was really why I said I would.” 

“Was it? Well, you always did jump to your 
conclusions. You’ll learn better, though. You’re 
young yet; but that is one of the things a fellow 
outgrows — with years and experience.” 

“ And you really mean what you say ? ” 

“ I certainly do.” 

“ But I haven’t heard a word about it myself. 
How do you know ? ” 

“ I know all right, and that ought to be enough 
for you. I’m not likely to tell you all this without 
knowing what I’m doing, am I ? ” 


295 


296 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

“ No. And yet Fd like to know how you found 
it out before I did.” 

“ That is quite likely.” 

You won’t tell me? ” 

“ Not now.” 

Why not?” 

“ Because it would not be for your best good, 
anyway. I didn’t intend to say anything about it at 
all. I wanted to leave you to have the surprise 
party all to yourself. But your cheerful ways, to 
say nothing of your kindly expressions of regard for 

the best friend you ever have had in this world ” 

'‘Jack!” interrupted Ward, “ don’t; please don’t. 
You don’t know how ashamed of myself I am. I 

can’t understand how I ever ” 

“ Drop it ! Don’t begin to whine now.” 

" Fm not whining — only ashamed.” 

“ Let it go at that, then. Don’t string out a con- 
fession. That’s something even I can’t stand. I 
remember one time when I was a kid my mother 
took me with her to hear a temperance lecture. The 
fellow had been a drunkard and I don’t know what 
all. That was bad enough; but when he stood up 
before his audience and began to tell all the disgrace- 
ful things he had done and been, it made me feel as 
if I wanted to find some hole I could crawl into. He 
just gloried — reveled in his shame — and didn’t have 
sense enough to realize what a show he was making 
of himself. I was ashamed of him, and I was noth- 
ing but a kid. Ever since that time Fve made it a 


CONCLUSION 


297 


rule of my life never to stand up before people and 
go into all the details in public of the things I’ve 
done, and that ought to make a fellow feel like 
hiding his head instead of standing up and crowing 
over what he ought to be ashamed even to mention.” 

I didn’t mean it that way.” 

“ Don’t I know it ? What do you think I am ? ” 
“ I think you are the best fellow that ever lived ! ” 
declared Ward impulsively. There never was a 
man like you, Jack Hobart, and all I had in mind 
to say was that I am fortunate in having you for a 
friend! I don’t deserve it, that’s all.” 

“ Now you are talking sense,” said Jack. “ I 
like that self-repressive and tremendously modest 
way you have. It’s new and refreshing.” 

“ I wish you’d tell me how you found out ” 

‘‘ Well, I sha’n’t.” 

I half believe you had more to do with it ” 

Of course I did. It is all my work. All I had 
to do was just to suggest that John Henry Hobart, 
lawyer-to-be — with his great reputation as a stu- 
dent in Weston as well as in college, and with a 
brilliant career in the law before him — mark well 
when that brilliant career is located, Ward — it’s be- 
fore him, and sometimes I think it so far before him 
that he’ll never get more than the tips of his fingers 
on the coat-tails of the fleeing individual ; though, 
let me see, a brilliant career is a feminine goddess, 
isn’t it ? Perhaps I’d better say never get more than 
the tips of my fingers on her flowing, fluttering 


298 WARD HILL— THE TEACHER 

draperies. Help me, Ward! What am I trying to 
say, anyway? Where am I at? What was I talk- 
ing about half an hour ago, when I first began ? ” 
Jack stopped abruptly and gazed at his friend with 
such an expression of mute and mock despair on his 
countenance that Ward laughed aloud. 

Indeed, not much now was required to accomplish 
that result. The sudden change, the marvelous and 
unexpected good fortune which had come in place of 
the despair which had possessed him, had been not 
unlike the awakening from a dream of terror when 
he was a little lad to find his mother by his side. 

For a long time the two friends talked over the 
prospects of the young teacher, and when at last 
Jack went with Ward, when the latter decided to 
return home, even then the topic did not fail of 
interest. 

I tell you. Ward, you have a great career before 
you,^’ exclaimed Jack. 

Thank you." 

You needn’t thank me." 

“ But I do just the same." 

“ It won’t be long before I’ll be standing up before 
a jury, and when I come to the really telling part. 
I’ll say, ' Gentlemen of the jury, this point reminds 
me of an instance that occurred when I was a room- 
mate of Dr. Ward Hill, the head of the famous 
Weston School, and one of the greatest teachers and 
character-makers this great and glorious country of 
ours has ever seen. Yes, gentlemen of the jury. 


CONCLUSION 


299 


this case resembles closely one that occurred in the 
early life of this justly famed teacher, with whose 
shoe-latchets I once was unworthily busied.’ And 
then you’ll see the jury sit up and listen. That’ll be 
enough. My case will be won. It’s true I’ll take my 
fee, but having won so easily. I’ll make it a modest 
one — not more than fifty per cent, more than my 
client possesses. Then my famous friend will sug- 
gest to me that Weston needs a new window in the 
chapel or a teacher of heterogenetics, or some other 
one of the humanities, and I’ll ” 

“ Of course you’ll give him your fee,” laughed 
Ward. 

“ Of course,” assented Jack. “ Having been 
brought up to let him have all I ever owned, or 
expect to own. I’ll not draw the line then. I’ll just 
have to show him that he is not the only man who 
deals with life. Teachers and preachers aren’t the 
only men who have a monopoly of those things. 
Don’t lawyers sometimes say to people that they’ll 
not only relieve them of their money, but also 
of their lives? Oh, you’re not the only man in 
America ! ” 

Ward laughed, and his heart, already light, was 
doubly cheered as Jack rattled on in his boyish 
clatter ; and when the time came for the train to de- 
part, he turned and clasped his friend’s hand. 

“ Jack, I’ll never forget,” he said in a low voice. 

“ Of course you won’t.” 

‘‘ You have done great things for me.” 


300 


WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 


Have I ? Pardon my dbtuseness, if that’s the 
correct word, professor, doctor, headmaster, princi- 
pal, et cetera; but if you intend to depart on this 

train Here you, Ward Hill ! Get on board or 

you’ll be left ! ” And Jack excitedly thrust his friend 
on board just as the long, heavy train began to 
move. 

As long as Jack could be seen Ward stood on the 
platform and waved his hat, and then, his face 
beaming and his heart light, he sought his seat and 
tried to read the magazine which Jack had placed in 
his hand when he left. But his excitement was too 
great to permit other thoughts to enter his mind, and 
it was not long before he dropped the magazine and 
sat gazing at the scene which sped past him, though 
he saw but little of the sights. Weston, vice- 
principal, Doctor Gray, Bullock, Mayo, even Hogg, 
whose face now no longer seemed to be entirely 
evil; his father, and his pride in the promotion of 
his son ; all these somehow seemed to be flitting be- 
fore him, and were much more real than the farms 
and villages or cities through which the train 
thundered. But more than any other the freckled 
face of Jack Hobart was seen, and never seen with- 
out a quick response from Ward. 

At Rockville Ward found awaiting him a letter 
from Doctor Gray, and another from the secretary 
of the Board of Trustees, informing him of his 
election. There were also congratulatory notes from 
Mr. Crane and Mr. Newcombe — the former express- 



“ As long as Jack could be seen Ward stood on the platform and waved his hat.’ 

, Page 300. 







CONCLUSION 


301 


ing his confidence in Ward’s success, and stating 
how glad the writer was that he had been able to 
reply, as he had, to the questions which had been 
asked by the trustees, and the latter not only con- 
gratulating Ward upon his appointment, but also 
freely promising the cordial support of himself and 
his colleagues in the corps of teachers. 

Ward Hill’s cup of happiness was overflowing. 
Apparently, all his shadows had departed, and the 
world was flooded with sunshine. The deep joy of 
his father and mother was wonderfully comforting, 
but the deepest of all was the word of Doctor Gray 
after Ward’s return to Weston. The young teacher 
had not delayed after his arrival, but had at once 
gone to the principal’s home, where he was wel- 
comed in a manner which he never forgot. Indeed, 
it almost seemed as if Doctor Gray was another man, 
so eager and interested was he in the change which 
was to be made at the close of the year. Not a 
trace of bitterness was to be seen in his manners, 
and his enthusiasm was almost as marked as Ward’s 
own. 

“ I did not realize,” said Doctor Gray in the inter- 
view, “ how I had been letting things slip. You 
showed me, Mr. Hill, both the need of the school 
and my own need as well. My life is wrapped up ii? 
Weston, and as long as I live I must be here. But 
the help of a younger man, and one whom I believe 
will grow into the work, is a source of deep com- 
fort to me. It was your courage and your deep 


302 WARD HILL — THE TEACHER 

conviction that convinced me you were the man.” 

But I have not had any experience, doctor.” 

You will have, and you will learn. It is not the 
man who has attained but who will attain that we 
want.” 

I am very young.” 

'' You will get over that,” said Doctor Gray with a 
smile. You have the promise, and you will fulfil 
it, I am confident. It is a great thing for a man to 
have the courage of his convictions.” 

“ Don’t you think every man has courage if he 
has the conviction ? ” 

“ Yes, I do. That is just it. It is the need of 
conviction. If a man has that he will have the 
courage. You are a Weston boy, a Weston teacher, 
and I am sure will help in making Weston more than 
I ever could alone.” 

“ Tell me, doctor, what Jack Hobart had to do 
with — with my selection.” 

“ Everything. He wrote me, he worked with the 
boys in getting up their petition, and then he went 
to see every member of the Board of Trustees per- 
sonally. He interested Mr. Crane and a great many 
other friends of Weston, and you can see the result.” 

“ He is the best friend ” Ward did not or 

could not complete the sentence. 

“ Yes, he is, indeed,” said Doctor Gray softly. 
“ It is a great thing for a man to have a friend like 
that, and not less to be able to arouse such a 
feeling in another. You are fortunate, Hill,” 


CONCLUSION 


303 


“What about Hogg? Will he — do you think — 
what will he do ? 

“ He will not love you. You must not look for 
that, nor must you expect that trouble will not come. 
But the sentiment of the school has been aroused, 
and he cannot stand against it alone.” 

When Ward arose to depart his elation had given 
place to a more serious feeling, as he now fully 
realized the measure of the responsibility which was 
his, but the handclasp of the principal, long and 
fervent, was marvelously comforting ; and when the 
following morning, at the close of the chapel exer- 
cises,. he announced the new appointment, and the 
boys arose in a body and gave three cheers and the 
school yell for “ Ward Hill, the vice-principal of 
Weston,” he was certain that the future, whatever 
trials it might have, had few joys greater than was 
his that morning. 


(the end) 






















































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